miSci President Dr. William Sudduth to Step Down, as Trustees Begin National Search for New President to Lead Museum’s Next Phase of Growth

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miSci President Dr. William
Sudduth to Step Down, as Trustees Begin National Search for New President to
Lead Museum’s Next Phase of Growth

After five transformative years leading the
Capital Region’s premier science center, Dr. Sudduth will transition leadership
of miSci and assume new role overseeing strategic STEM initiatives

Schenectady, NY. September 5, 2017 – miSci today announced
that its Board of Trustees has accepted the transition of the museum’s current
President, Dr. William “Mac” Sudduth, who has served in the role for five
years. The museum’s Board of Trustees has appointed a special committee to
conduct the national search for Dr. Sudduth’s successor, and Dr. Sudduth will remain
President until January 1, 2018, to ensure stability in transition to new
leadership of the museum.

Dr. Sudduth came out of retirement in 2012 to lead miSci,
bringing 40 years of museum leadership experience to the role. Hired on the
heels of the museum’s strategic shift of vision and mission to become a
regional science center, Dr. Sudduth’s proven ability to lead institutions
through significant transformations made him the ideal choice for President of
the new Museum of Innovation and Science, i.e. miSci. True to his record, Dr.
Sudduth’s tenure at miSci is replete with notable accomplishments.

“As a
long-time miSci Trustee, and a member of the search committee that hired Dr.
Sudduth in 2012, I could not be prouder of our decision. Dr. Sudduth has proven
to be the leader we’d hoped for, and the President miSci needed, to become the
leading regional science center it is today,” said trustee Dr. Bradley
Lewis. “The trustees are grateful to Dr.
Sudduth for his countless contributions to the success and growth of miSci and
his desire to remain involved in the museum’s future endeavors, and we are
excited to find the next leader to continue the momentum he has built within
the staff and organization.”

Under Sudduth’s leadership, miSci has experienced explosive
growth in attendance and membership, seeing an increase of more than 500% and
100%, respectively. Museum earned revenue has grown dramatically as miSci’s
exhibits, educational programs and partnerships have expanded through his
direction. Dr. Sudduth was responsible for introducing dynamic seasonal
exhibits and special events – now favorites of miSci members and patrons – such
as the indoor butterfly house, robotic dinosaurs, and the Science Festival of
the Capital Region. Audience-specific programs like SenseAble Science for children with autism and their families, the Explainers workforce development program
for inner-city youth, and Teen Science
Café for high schoolers were all introduced under Sudduth’s leadership.
Additionally, facility expansions such as the opening of the Challenger
Learning Center at miSci, the renovation and upgrade of the museum’s
Suits-Bueche Planetarium, and the relocation of Dudley Observatory to miSci
were all completed under his presidency.

“The changes we have made in miSci over the past five years
are the result of the efforts of our dedicated board, staff, volunteers, donors
and supporters,” says Sudduth. “I am grateful for the opportunity to help make
a difference, and I am excited about helping the new miSci President move us through
the next phase of our big vision.”

The committee of miSci trustees will commence a
comprehensive national search for a new President immediately, and Dr. Sudduth
will remain President until January 1, 2018, helping to onboard his successor. Upon
stepping down as President, Dr. Sudduth will transition to a new role at miSci,
providing guidance, support and oversight of strategic expansion ventures
including an Arboretum project at Mohawk Harbor, an expansion into adjacent
historic Vale Park and the launch of a new exhibit program, along with other
programs.

“miSci
is eager to find its next leader, another hard-working visionary who can
continue the momentum we’ve generated with Dr. Sudduth at the helm. The museum
has arrived at precisely the situation the Trustees had envisioned when Dr.
Sudduth was hired, having positioned miSci as the region's leading science
center at a time when STEM awareness and education is a high public priority,”
said Board of Trustees President Tony Farah. “Our next leader will step into an
organization poised for even more exciting growth.”

Candidates interested in pursuing
the President position should send resumes to resumes@misci.org

ABOUT miSci

miSci is widely recognized as the Capital Region’s Premier Science
Center and regularly receives awards and accolades as the area’s best museum
for families and children.

At miSci, all exhibits, programs, and
events are designed with its mission in mind: to inspire people to celebrate
and explore science and technology, past, present and future. miSci is home to
an extensive Archive and Collection, a Challenger Learning Center, the Dudley
Observatory, the Suits-Bueche Planetarium, and various special exhibits and
programs each year. miSci’s vast Archives and Collection houses more than 1.6
million prints and negatives from the GE Photograph collection; an archival
collection with, as well as more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic materials;
and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and technology.
Featuring dynamic exhibits, state-of-the-art space learning centers,
standards-based education for K-12 classes and students, and special
programming for preschoolers, teens and seniors, miSci offers patrons hands-on
exploration while fostering an understanding and appreciation of STEM subjects
and careers.

$10,000 grant from GLOBALFOUNDRIES will
enable 300 students from five Capital Region Boys and Girls Clubs to experience
interactive exhibits, the Challenger Learning Center and the Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci

GLOBALFOUNDRIES has partnered with
miSci (museum of innovation and science) to provide STEM education to historically-underserved
communities in the Capital Region. Through a $10,000 grant, GLOBALFOUNDRIES will
enable 300 middle school-aged students from five regional Boys and Girls Clubs to
experience the immersive science programs and interactive galleries at miSci
during school break in February 2017. The students’ agenda for “GLOBALFOUNDRIES
Week at miSci” will include a mission at the Challenger Leaning Center (CLC), a
show in the Suits-Bueche Planetarium, and exploration of miSci’s hands-on
galleries.

“Experiential learning engages
students in critical thinking, problem solving and decision making,” said Dr.
Thomas Caulfield, senior vice president and general manager of GLOBALFOUNDRIES
Fab 8. “The Challenger Learning Center program will provide each student the
opportunity to become astronauts and engineers and work as a team to solve
unexpected, real-world problems as they complete a simulated space mission.”

“At GLOBALFOUDNRIES, we are
committed to making investments of time, money, technology, and volunteer
expertise to help improve the quality of life in our communities” said Steven
Grasso, Corporate Communications Manager. “The partnership with miSci is a
natural fit as we both share the same desire to inspire the next generation of
scientists and engineers.”

In year one, the GLOBALFOUNDRIES
funding will provide admission, round-trip transportation and box lunches to
sixty students from each of five regional Boys and Girls Clubs, including: Albany,
Lansingburgh, Schenectady, Southern Rensselaer and Troy. miSci President
William Sudduth, PhD and the Education team at miSci, have developed a
customized agenda for the program, to include an advance workshop for the Boys
and Girls Clubs’ leaders, and activities to be completed by the students prior
to coming to the science center. Club leaders will work with selected students
to assign roles for their CLC missions and design astronaut “patches” for their
mission crews. The students’ missions will be tailored to their grade levels
and will be complemented by planetarium shows with related subject matter.
miSci educators will also provide lessons to extend learning from the museum’s
current exhibits, which will include Discover
Butterflies, The Living House,
and Tinkering.

“miSci is thrilled about its new
partnership with GLOBALFOUNDRIES,” said miSci President Dr. William Sudduth.
“Corporate partners like GLOBALFOUNDRIES make it possible for miSci to deliver
its mission, so we are grateful for their good citizenship and commitment to
STEM education in our community. We are excited to work with the Fab 8 team and
to host an ‘out-of-this-world’ February break for the Boys & Girls Clubs of
the Capital Region in 2017.”

GLOBALFOUNDRIES celebrated its new
partnership with miSci at its annual FAB 8 Open House on November 10, 2016 from
5:30 - 7:30 PM. “GLOBALFOUNDRIES Week at miSci” will occur February 20-24,
2017, with one Boys and Girls Club visiting from 8:45 AM to 2:15 PM each day that
week.

About GLOBALFOUNDRIES

GLOBALFOUNDRIES is the world’s
first full-service semiconductor foundry with a truly global footprint.
Launched in March 2009, the company has quickly achieved scale as one of the
largest foundries in the world, providing a unique combination of advanced technology
and manufacturing to more than 250 customers. With operations in Singapore,
Germany and the United States, GLOBALFOUNDRIES is the only foundry that offers
the flexibility and security of manufacturing centers spanning three
continents. The company’s 300mm fabs and 200mm fabs provide the full range of
process technologies from mainstream to the leading edge. This global
manufacturing footprint is supported by major facilities for research,
development and design enablement located near hubs of semiconductor activity
in the United States, Europe and Asia. GLOBALFOUNDRIES is owned by Mubadala
Development Company. For more information, visit http://www.globalfoundries.com.

About miSci

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only
science center in Tech Valley offering an interactive, multimedia experience
for visitors of all ages, as well as programming for school children throughout
northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont.
Mission-driven to “inspire people to celebrate and explore science and
technology, past, present and future,” miSci is home to an extensive Archival
Collection, a Challenger Learning Center, the Suits-Bueche Planetarium, the
Dudley Observatory, and various special exhibits and programs each year.
miSci’s vast Archives house more than 1.6 million prints and negatives from the
GE Photograph collection; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic
feet of historic materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history
of science and technology. Featuring dynamic exhibits, state-of-the-art space
learning centers, standards-based education for K-12 classes and students, and
special programming for preschoolers to seniors, miSci offers patrons hands-on
exploration while fostering an understanding and appreciation of STEM subjects
and careers.www.misci.org.

Walk into a world of virtual
reality, learn all about drone technology, take part in a space flight
simulation, observe organisms from the micro to the macro, and turn fruit into
a battery with hands-on activities, workshops and demos from more than 45 community
STEM organizations! miSci, the museum of innovation and science, is hosting its
annual Science Festival of the Capital Region Wednesday, November 9 through
Sunday, November 13, 2016 – featuring four full days of interactive science and
live stage shows.

The Science Festival begins with a
STEM Summit on Wednesday night, and officially kicks off on Thursday morning at
11 AM with an Opening Ceremony featuring the San Francisco Exploratorium’s “Tubular”
stage show. Friday and Sunday include Jeff Boyers’ dynamic Bubble Trouble stage show, and miSci will host Science Cafés on
Thursday night for teens and Friday night for adults. The museum will be open
late on Saturday for a special Star Party hosted by Dudley Observatory, and Sunday
at the Festival is a GE Kids in Free
day, when children age 12 and under will receive free general admission when
accompanied by a paying adult.

Throughout the entire Science
Festival weekend, community partners will be on exhibition presenting demos and
hands-on activities in miSci’s galleries and Festival tent. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci will present multiple shows each day, and the Challenger
Learning Center at miSci will run daily Challenger Adventures Friday through
Sunday. miSci’s Tinkering Garage will also be open for 3-D printing and other
maker activities. For a full schedule of daily events and activities, visit: www.miSci.org/events/science-festival.

“miSci is thrilled to host the
Science Festival of the Capital Region each year – it is such an exciting showcase
of the variety of scientists, engineers, researchers and innovators in our area,”
says Dr. William Sudduth, President of miSci. “Science Festival brings them all
together to celebrate and explore science, technology, engineering and math in
an engaging and fun way, while hopefully inspiring future STEM leaders.”

Wednesday evening’s STEM Summit
for Educators will feature workshops presented by Fox Vision Development
Center, New York State Network for Youth Success, the Challenger Learning
Center and Dudley Observatory at miSci, the San Francisco Exploratorium and
WMHT. The event is free to attend, and all participants will receive a
certificate for three hours of professional development credit. Educators may
register online at http://bit.ly/STEMSum.

Thursday at the Science Festival
is tailored toward students and seniors. School group activities will include
touring the Science Festival Partner Expo in miSci’s Main Galleries and a
special Author’s Corner featuring local children’s authors Alison Formento, Barbara
Ann Mojica and Elizabeth Zunon, who will host live readings and signings.
Teenaged students are invited to the Teen Science Café in the evening, for an
“Up With the Sun” talk on solar energy by Scott McWilliams of SUNY Polytechnic
Institute. For the 65+ audience, there will be a special Senior Science Day
event, “We Love Pluto,” at 3 PM, presented by Dudley Observatory’s Outreach
Astronomer Dr. Valerie Rapson.

On Friday, Jeff Boyer’s Bubble Trouble takes over the stage in
the Festival tent, and Cornell Cooperative Extension will conduct workshops on
drone technology all day. Starting at 5:30 PM, miSci will present its first
miScience Café event for a 21+ audience, entitled Game On!. The adults-only event will feature a talk on the “Science
of Brewing” from Druthers Brewing Company’s Chief Brewing Officer George De
Piro, an irreverent “Real Housewives of the Galaxy” planetarium show, Mensa-approved
board games, and food and beverage samples from local breweries, distilleries
and eateries. Advance registration for Game
On! is available online at: http://conta.cc/2eAYC3b

Saturday will bring the New York Wildlife Show to the stage, and
“A Talk With Sophia Brahe” from the Schenectady Theater for Children Great Minds Series, as well as various
astronomy activities all day – culminating with an evening Star Party hosted by
Dudley Observatory.

Jeff Boyer’s Bubble Trouble returns to the Festival stage on Sunday, and a giant
Rube Goldberg Machine will take over the miSci main lobby with the help of RPI
Engineering Ambassadors.

Festival hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00
PM on Thursday, November 10 and Friday, November 11; and 12:00 to 5:00 PM
Sunday, November 13. Special extended hours during Science Festival will be: from
4:30 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday night for the STEM Summit for Educators; from 6:00
to 8:00 PM on Thursday night for a Teen Science Café (teens only); 5:30 to
10:00 PM on Friday night for a miScience Café (21+ adults only); and 5:00 to
9:00 PM on Saturday night for a special Dudley Observatory Star Party.

General Admission to miSci
includes access to all Science Festival activities and is $10.50 for Adults
(13+), $9.00 for Seniors (65+) and $7.50 for Children (age 3-12). Planetarium
tickets are $5 per show, and Challenger Adventure tickets are $10.00 for
Adults, $8.00 for Seniors and $5 for Children. General Admission tickets to the
Science Festival are also available through Price Chopper’s Tickets to Go! at any open register at
all Price Chopper stores. miSci is located at 15 Nott Terrace Heights in
Schenectady.

About miSci

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only
science center in Tech Valley offering an interactive, multimedia experience
for visitors of all ages, as well as programming for school children throughout
northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont.
Mission-driven to “inspire people to celebrate and explore science and
technology, past, present and future,” miSci is home to an extensive Archival
Collection, a Challenger Learning Center, the Suits-Bueche Planetarium, the
Dudley Observatory, and various special exhibits and programs each year.
miSci’s vast Archives house more than 1.6 million prints and negatives from the
GE Photograph collection; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic
feet of historic materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history
of science and technology. Featuring dynamic exhibits, state-of-the-art space
learning centers, standards-based education for K-12 classes and students, and
special programming for teens to seniors, miSci offers patrons hands-on
exploration while fostering an understanding and appreciation of STEM subjects
and careers. www.misci.org.

###

Return of the Dinosaurs at miSci Extended By Popular Demand!

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Return of the Dinosaurs at miSci Extended By
Popular Demand –
Just Two Weeks Until the Dinosaurs Go Extinct!

Due
to overwhelming public interest, miSci’s “Return of the Dinosaurs” exhibit has
been extended to
September 25th, giving Capital Region visitors an extra week to view
the life-like prehistoric visitors

miSci’s ten giant, animatronic dinosaurs
will be “going extinct” on Sunday, September 25th – one week later
than miSci experts predicted. Due to record attendance, the prehistoric guests’
visit was extended, giving visitors a final chance to see the collection of ten
giant animatronic dinosaurs throughout the museum before their departure.

Return of the Dinosaurs at miSci is comprised of
computer-controlled creatures with realistic skin, body parts that move, as
well as roars and screeches that echo though the galleries! miSci Visitors will
be greeted by a flying Pteranodon, a massive T-Rex, gliding sea-going lizards,
fearsome predators and prey, gentle giant herbivores and dinosaur mothers
tending their broods.

In addition to interacting with the
animatronic dinosaurs throughout the museum, visitors will learn all about
these prehistoric creatures in the dino dig site, fossil rubbing station, and
other hands-on discovery areas. They can even snap a selfie with a life-size snarling
T-Rex! The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at miSci is also showing the Dinosaur Prophecy digital show twice
daily, about how dinosaurs lived and died long before their massive extinction event
65 million years ago.

“The reaction to Return of the Dinosaurs has been so overwhelmingly positive,” said
miSci President Mac Sudduth. “We decided to give folks who’d had too busy a
summer a little extra time to stop into miSci and see what all the excitement
is about.”

Return of the Dinosaurs was sponsored by Pioneer Bank, Legere
Group, and North Eastern Water Jet, Inc., and will close on September 25th.

miSci is located at 15
Nott Terrace Heights in Schenectady. General Admission pricing is: Children
(3-12) $7.50; Seniors (65+) $9; Adults $10.50. General admission includes access
to all exhibits including Return of the
Dinosaurs. Tickets to the Suits-Bueche Planetarium are $5 per show per
person.

ABOUT MISCI:

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science
center in Tech Valley offering an interactive, multimedia experience for
visitors of all ages, as well as programming for school children throughout
northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont.
Mission-driven to “inspire people to celebrate and explore science and
technology, past, present and future,” miSci is home to an extensive Archival
Collection, a Challenger Learning Center, the Suits-Bueche Planetarium, the
Dudley Observatory, and various special exhibits and programs each year.
miSci’s vast Archives house more than 1.6 million prints and negatives from the
GE Photograph collection; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic
feet of historic materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the
history of science and technology. Featuring dynamic exhibits, state-of-the-art
space learning centers, standards-based education for K-12 classes and
students, and special programming for teens to seniors, miSci offers patrons
hands-on exploration while fostering an understanding and appreciation of STEM
subjects and careers. www.misci.org

miSci Awarded $2,500 from Schenectady County for 3rd Annual Science Festival of the Capital Region

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miSci Awarded $2,500 from
Schenectady County for 3rd Annual Science Festival of the Capital Region

County funding will support presentation of live stage
show during weekend of hands-on science and STEM-related festivities

SCHNECTADY,
N.Y. – August 11, 2016 – Schenectady County recently awarded miSci (the museum of innovation
and science) $2,500 in support of the Science
Festival of the Capital Region, hosted at miSci each year.

The 2016
festival will mark the 3rd annual Science Festival of the Capital Region, and will feature an “Astronomy Day,” STEM Summit for Educators, special
activities for Veteran’s Day, Teen Science Café, a Dudley Observatory Star
Party, Jeff Boyer’s Bubble Trouble
stage show, and numerous science demonstrations and activities hosted by miSci
and its community partners throughout the weekend. Previous festivals have
included events and presentations such as “Fun with Energy,” “Dino Rock,”
“Skywatch Lectures” and “Mars-The Wet, Red Planet.”

“The Science
Festival of the Capital Region is one of miSci’s premier events of the year”
says miSci President William “Mac” Sudduth. “The festival has always been a
tremendous success, not only in terms of community support and turnout, but
also in terms of patron enthusiasm for the hands-on science and festival
‘edu-tainment’ they experience. We are grateful to sponsors like Schenectady
County which help make this event bigger and better each year.”

The funds
awarded from Schenectady County will support two performances of Jeff Boyer’s “Bubble
Trouble” during Science Festival weekend. Bubble
Trouble is a stage program that incorporates art and science into a dynamic
one-man creative bubble show. The performer juggles, sculpts, and builds
figures with bubbles while the audience learns about the science behind the
fun. Throughout Bubble Trouble, youth
are encouragedto take the stage and
participate in the creation of bubble art.

The Science Festival of the Capital Region
is scheduled for November 9 – 13, 2016, with performances of Bubble Troubleoccurring on Friday and Sunday of the festival weekend.For further information about the
festival, as well as details on sponsorship and community partnership
opportunities, visit www.miSci.org.

About miSci

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley offering an interactive, multimedia experience for visitors of all ages, as well as programming for school children throughout northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. Mission-driven to “inspire people to celebrate and explore science and technology, past, present and future,” miSci is home to an extensive Archival Collection, a Challenger Learning Center, the Suits-Bueche Planetarium, the Dudley Observatory, and various special exhibits and programs each year. miSci’s vast Archives house more than 1.6 million prints and negatives from the GE Photograph collection; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and technology. Featuring dynamic exhibits, state-of-the-art space learning centers, standards-based education for K-12 classes and students, and special programming for teens to seniors, miSci offers patrons hands-on exploration while fostering an understanding and appreciation of STEM subjects and careers.www.misci.org.

Generous Foundation gift will support transportation, scholarships and
other funding for educational groups to experience STEM programming at leading
regional science center

SCHENECTADY, NY – August 11, 2016 – miSci, the museum of innovation and science
was recently awarded a $5,000 grant to its “Powering the Future: The STEM Fund”
from the J.M. McDonald Foundation.

“The STEM Fund” at
miSci makes it possible for educational groups visiting miSci to receive free
or reduced admission and transportation reimbursement for field trips and other
museum experiences, including programs with the Dudley Observatory, in the
Suits-Bueche Planetarium and at the Challenger Learning Center. The STEM Fund
allows miSci to fill funding gaps for schools that require assistance to make
field trips or other museum experiences feasible.

Founded in 1952 by businessman
and merchant James M. McDonald, the J.M. McDonald Foundation has awarded more
than 1 million dollars to various programs that serve to children, particularly
through health and education. The Trustees of the Foundation seek to uphold the
desires of J.M. McDonald, by making gifts that improve quality and
accessibility of childrens’ education and social programs in and around Upstate
New York.

“Gifts to miSci’s
STEM Fund like this one from The McDonald Foundation’s allow us to work with a
variety of schools with varying degrees of need to make their miSci experiences
possible,” says miSci President William “Mac” Sudduth, “whether we provide
funds to get groups here to bring miSci to them, these dollars make hands-on
science possible for hundreds of Capital Region students.”

Information about
miSci and its exhibits and educational programs, as well as details regarding
applications or donations for “Powering the Future: the STEM Fund” at miSci can
be found online at

In the spring of 1952, J.M. McDonald established the J.M. McDonald
Foundation, Inc. This is a trust whose income is to be used as donations to
deserving charities. Primary interests of the Foundation are education,
humanities, health, and a variety of social and human services. As of the year
2014, 62 years after its inception, the J.M. McDonald Foundation, Inc. has
grown many times over and is active in awarding grants primarily in upstate New
York. Thanks to the foresight of J.M. McDonald, Sr., the Foundation will
continue the charitable example he modeled years ago.

About miSci

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only
science center in Tech Valley offering an interactive, multimedia experience
for visitors of all ages, as well as programming for school children throughout
northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont.
Mission-driven to “inspire people to celebrate and explore science and
technology, past, present and future,” miSci is home to an extensive Archival
Collection, a Challenger Learning Center, the Suits-Bueche Planetarium, the
Dudley Observatory, and various special exhibits and programs each year.
miSci’s vast Archives house more than 1.6 million prints and negatives from the
GE Photograph collection; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic
feet of historic materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the
history of science and technology. Featuring dynamic exhibits, state-of-the-art
space learning centers, standards-based education for K-12 classes and
students, and special programming for teens to seniors, miSci offers patrons hands-on
exploration while fostering an understanding and appreciation of STEM subjects
and careers. www.misci.org.

miSci and 1st National Bank of Scotia Partner to Launch “Cents and $ensibility” Financial Literacy Program

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miSci and 1st National Bank of Scotia Partner to Launch “Cents and $ensibility” Financial Literacy Program

miSci was recently awarded a $25,000 grant from 1st National Bank of Scotia to develop and implement “Cents & $ensiblity,” an educational outreach program aimed at improving the financial literacy of elementary and middle school aged students from Capital Region schools. The miSci Education leadership has developed a curriculum of six 45-minute courses which can be delivered, based on individual classroom teacher requests, as a standalone lesson or three-lesson series. Classes will be presented onsite at school classrooms by miSci Educators with support from 1st National Bank of Scotia volunteers.

Cents and $ensibility is made possible by sponsor, 1st National Bank of Scotia – a regional financial institution that is committed to delivering financial literacy programs to its community. For more than a decade, 1st National has funded community education and outreach initiatives, such as Money Math, the School Savings Club and Junior Achievement. Together with miSci, 1st National aims for Cents and $ensibility to teach area youth foundational financial skills and how to be knowledgeable and empowered consumers.

“The development of financial literacy in our youth is essential in securing good spending habits for future generations, and key to our country’s financial success,” John Buhrmaster, President & CEO of 1st National Bank of Scotia said. “We are committed to making a difference in our community and furthering educational opportunities like Cents and $ensibility, through our partnership with miSci.”

The Cents and $ensibility program has two separate tracks for grades 3 to 5 and grades 6 to 8. The elementary school curriculum includes classes on decision-driven purchasing, goal setting and budgeting; and the middle school curriculum focuses on smart shopping, saving, and budgetary priority setting. The overall goal of the program is for 80% of participating students to report an increased understanding of the financial literacy concepts introduced during the lessons, as measured by FDIC post assessment tools. Said miSci President, Dr. William “Mac” Sudduth, “We are proud at miSci to have partners like 1st National Bank of Scotia, and we look forward to developing financial and math literacy skills that will make difference in student's lives.”

Cents and $ensibility classes will be delivered to approximately 2,000 students in the following school districts: City School District of Albany, Colonie Central School District, Ballston Spa Central School District, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District, Guilderland Central School District, Hoosick Valley Central School District, Saratoga Springs Central School District, Schenectady City School District, Scotia-Glenville Central School District, and Shenendehowa Central School District, and possibly others. Classroom visits will begin in April 2017 and continue through December 29th, with a summer recess from June 24 – September 24, 2017. Classroom reservations will be accepted on a rolling basis through December 15, 2017. Educators interested in bringing Cents and $ensibility to their classrooms should complete a reservation request at www.miSci.org.

About 1st National Bank of Scotia

1st National Bank of Scotia is an independently owned and operated bank located in the Capital Region of New York State. Founded in 1923, 1st National is proud to provide creative financial solutions and personalized customer service to generations of families and businesses. For more information please visit www.firstscotia.com.

About miSci

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley offering an interactive, multimedia experience for visitors of all ages, as well as programming for school children throughout northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. Mission-driven to “inspire people to celebrate and explore science and technology, past, present and future,” miSci is home to an extensive Archival Collection, a Challenger Learning Center, the Suits-Bueche Planetarium, the Dudley Observatory, and various special exhibits and programs each year. miSci’s vast Archives house more than 1.6 million prints and negatives from the GE Photograph collection; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and technology. Featuring dynamic exhibits, state-of-the-art space learning centers, standards-based education for K-12 classes and students, and special programming for preschoolers to seniors, miSci offers patrons hands-on exploration while fostering an understanding and appreciation of STEM subjects and careers. www.misci.org.

Today, the Institute of Museum and
Library Services (IMLS) awarded $149,793.00 to miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science. miSci
will use the grant funds to collaborate with member libraries of the
Mohawk Valley Library System (MVLS) to engage youth and their families in
learning about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

miSci will develop and deliver hands-on STEM activities and
table top experiment stations. In addition, The Dudley Observatory, which is
housed at miSci, will deliver astronomy content by using Starlab, a portable
planetarium. These STEM learning experiences will be supported through the
creation of “record sets” of related books at each library. These science
and astronomy activities provided will develop an interest in STEM and possibly
in STEM careers for youth at these libraries.

“Our grants are highly competitive. The Institute of
Museum and Library Services enlists hundreds of library and museum
professionals throughout the United States to review grant applications and
make recommendations on projects most worthy of funding,” said IMLS Director
Susan H. Hildreth. “Receiving a grant from IMLS is significant achievement, and
we congratulate miSci for being among the 2014 IMLS
museum grantees.”

IMLS museum grants support a wide variety of projects
that create learning experiences, strengthen community communities, care for
collections and provide broad public access.

“We
are pleased that miSci was recognized by IMLS for our leadership in the museum
field and our service to the Capital Region. The partnership with
libraries will help us better serve the region and to promote both literacy and
STEM education,” said miSci Executive Director Dr. Mac Sudduth. “Some say that you are
judged by the company you keep and we are certainly proud to be in the company
of our partners and collaborators, the Dudley Observatory and the Mohawk Valley
Library System.”

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal
support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Our mission is to inspire
libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural
and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help
libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities
and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and
follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About
miSci

Founded
in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley offering a
multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and serves school children from
northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. In 2012,
miSci entered into a partnership program with the San Francisco-based
Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based Teaching)
program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich
exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the Exploratorium
resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such as education,
inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest
documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci
offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

#

Rotary Club of Schenectady Makes $500 Gift to miSci in Support of “Senior Science Day” Programming

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Rotary Club of Schenectady
Makes $500 Gift to miSci in Support of “Senior Science Day” Programming

Funding will support
admissions and programming for the Dudley Observatory at miSci’s monthly
science series designed for an elder audience

SCHNECTADY, N.Y. - August 11, 2016 – The museum of innovation
and science (miSci) has been awarded a $500 grant from the Rotary Club of
Schenectady in support of the museum’s monthly Senior Science Day program.

Senior Science Day, started in 2015 by the Dudley Observatory at miSci, offers
adults the opportunity to learn about astronomy in a casual, informal setting.
Held the first Monday of every month, adults and senior citizens are invited to
miSci for an hour-long lesson in astronomy hosted by Dudley Observatory outreach
astronomer Dr. Valerie Rapson.

Having lived through the Space Race, today’s senior citizens
spent time anticipating what the next big breakthrough in space travel and
astronomical discovery would be. The Dudley Observatory strives to bring back
the passion for intergalactic discovery through Senior Science Day at miSci. Senior Science Day topics include Exploring
our Solar System, NASA’s Great Observatories, Searching for Alien Life,
Einstein’s Theories Explained, Current Space News, and more. Topic
presentations are designed for all skill levels, and no prior astronomy
knowledge is necessary to attend.

“We truly appreciate the generous donation from the Rotary
Club of Schenectady” remarks Dr. Rapson, “it will help us to continuously
innovate our program and expand its reach.”

The Rotary Club of Schenectady grant will be used to support
with Senior Science Day initiatives, and will reinforce the Dudley Observatory
at miSci’s commitment to lifelong learning and inspiring people of all ages to
celebrate and explore science and technology.

Senior Science Day is presented the first Monday of every
month at 3 PM at miSci. miSci is located at 15 Nott Terrace Heights in
Schenectady and is handicap accessible. Admission to miSci is $9 for Seniors
(65+), $10.50 for adults, and free for members. Group rates are available for
Senior Science Day and other miSci programs, as well as special membership
packages for Senior Communities. More information on miSci programs, membership
and reservations is available at www.miSci.org.

About the Dudley Observatory

Founded in 1856, the Dudley Observatory is the nation’s
oldest non-academic intuition of astronomical research. It has endured by
adapting to the needs of the times and by always serving the community – both
the scientific community and the greater Capital Region community. The
legacy of Dudley’s observations is preserved in the original equipment, now
housed in miSci collections. The Dudley archives and library, containing
records of its astronomical work and many rare volumes, are now available to
researchers. In 2015, due to the increasing need for greater science education
along with the other STEM fields, Dudley entered into a partnership with miSci
( the Museum of Innovation and Science) to provide astronomy programs and
education. www.dudleyobservatory.org

About miSci

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley offering an interactive, multimedia experience for visitors of all ages, as well as programming for school children throughout northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. Mission-driven to “inspire people to celebrate and explore science and technology, past, present and future,” miSci is home to an extensive Archival Collection, a Challenger Learning Center, the Suits-Bueche Planetarium, the Dudley Observatory, and various special exhibits and programs each year. miSci’s vast Archives house more than 1.6 million prints and negatives from the GE Photograph collection; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and technology. Featuring dynamic exhibits, state-of-the-art space learning centers, standards-based education for K-12 classes and students, and special programming for teens to seniors, miSci offers patrons hands-on exploration while fostering an understanding and appreciation of STEM subjects and careers.www.misci.org.

About The Rotary Club of Schenectady

The Rotary Club of
Schenectady, established in 1918, celebrates nearly a century of service to
others and our 90+ members are neighbors, business professionals, and community
leaders who live and/or work throughout the City of Schenectady, New York. Our
Rotary Club sponsors numerous charitable organizations locally and
internationally, and we have a lot of fun doing it. The Rotary Club of
Schenectady is part of Rotary District 7190 which serves New York.

Dudley Observatory at miSci to host star party in
Delanson, NY at 8 PM on Friday August 12th, featuring a lecture on
"Galactic Cannibalism" and night sky observation during active meteor
shower

August 11,
2016 – Schenectady, NY – One of the best annual meteor showers that you, your
family, or your visitors can watch – the Perseids – will be peaking this
Thursday and Friday, and with the help of Dudley Observatory and area amateur
astronomers, your viewing experience can be even more exciting. Dudley
Observatory will be hosting a star party at the Octagon Barn in Delanson, NY on
Friday, August 11 at 8 PM. The free, public event will feature an astronomy
lecture and guided night sky observation of the Perseid meteors.

Meteors or “shooting stars” (which have nothing to do with
stars) are pieces of cosmic dust and dirt hitting the Earth’s atmosphere at
high speed and making a flash of light. The Perseid meteors are cosmic
“garbage” left over from a regularly returning comet, called Swift-Tuttle
(after the two astronomers who first discovered it) that returns to the inner
solar system every 130 years or so; it was last here in 1992. During each pass, Swift-Tuttle leaves dirt
and dust behind and it is this series of long dirt and dust streams that we
encounter every August.

Scientists
who study comets and meteors are predicting that we might encounter an
especially crowded part of the debris stream this year - potentially causing a
meteor "outburst," where the number of shooting stars increases
beyond the usual rates. Each flash one observes during a meteor shower is a bit
of material from the comet hitting the Earth’s atmosphere and getting heated up
(and heating up the air around it) as it speeds through the thick
atmosphere. Both the superheated dust
and dirt and the heated air contribute to the visible light we observe.

The best
night is the evening of Thursday, Aug. 11 and morning of Friday, Aug. 12th,
although there could be significantly more meteors in the sky on the night
before and the night after too. However, this will be a complicated year for
watching the Perseid meteor shower because the evening sky has a roughly
half-lit-up moon in it, which makes it more difficult to catch the faint
“shooting stars.” By waiting until the Moon sets (between midnight and 1 am),
observers should have better viewing in the pre-dawn darkness. For those
watching before midnight, one suggestion is to get into a moon shadow – a place
where something blocks your view of the Moon and it’s easier to scan the sky.
The meteor flashes could happen anywhere in the sky, so it’s best to view the
shower from a dark, wide-open place.

The
Octagon Barn in Delanson provides an excellent location for dark sky
observation, as it is situated in a remote, open area. Dudley Observatory and
area amateur astronomers will have telescopes and binoculars available for
night sky viewing; however, the meteor shower is best observed with the naked
eye. The event will also include an astronomy talk by Siena College’s Dr. John
Moustakas entitled “Galactic Cannibalism: Formation and Evolution of the
Universe's Most Massive Galaxies,” about how the most massive galaxies in the
universe started forming billions of years ago, and how - over time - they
became behemoths by gravitationally cannibalizing other nearby galaxies, as
well as some of the most exciting mysteries surrounding these rare giants.

The
Octagon Barn Star Party will be held on Friday, August 12, 2016 at 8 PM, at the
Knox Octagon Barn at 588 Middle Rd in Delanson, NY. The event is free and open
to the public. Voluntary donations will benefit the Dudley Observatory at
miSci.

Tips for
best meteor shower viewing:

Get away from city lights and find a location that’s
relatively dark

If it’s significantly foggy or cloudy, you’re out of luck

Your location should allow you to see as much of the dome
of the sky as possible

Allow time for your eyes to get adapted to the dark (at
least 10 -15 minutes)

Don’t use a telescope or binoculars – they restrict your
view (which means you don’t have to be part of the 1% with fancy equipment to
see the shower; this is a show for the 99%!)

Dress warm – it can get cooler at night even in August
(and don’t forget the insect repellent while you are outside)

Be patient (it’s not fireworks): keep looking up &
around & you’ll see flashes of light

Take someone with you with whom you like to spend time in
the dark!

About the Dudley Observatory

Founded in 1856, the Dudley Observatory is the nation’s
oldest non-academic intuition of astronomical research. It has endured by
adapting to the needs of the times and by always serving the community – both
the scientific community and the greater Capital Region community. The
legacy of Dudley’s observations is preserved in the original equipment, now
housed in miSci collections. The Dudley archives and library, containing
records of its astronomical work and many rare volumes, are now available to
researchers. In 2015, due to the increasing need for greater science education
along with the other STEM fields, Dudley entered into a partnership with miSci
( the Museum of Innovation and Science) to provide astronomy programs and
education. www.dudleyobservatory.org

About miSci (Museum of Innovation and Science)

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley
offering an interactive, multimedia experience for visitors of all ages, as
well as programming for school children throughout northeastern New York,
western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. Mission-driven to “inspire people
to celebrate and explore science and technology, past, present and future,”
miSci is home to an extensive Archival Collection, a Challenger Learning
Center, the Suits-Bueche Planetarium, the Dudley Observatory, and various
special exhibits and programs each year. miSci’s vast Archives house more than
1.6 million prints and negatives from the GE Photograph collection; an archival
collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and more than
15,000 objects relating to the history of science and technology. Featuring
dynamic exhibits, state-of-the-art space learning centers, standards-based
education for K-12 classes and students, and special programming for teens to
seniors, miSci offers patrons hands-on exploration while fostering an
understanding and appreciation of STEM subjects and careers. www.misci.org

miSci to “Just Add Science” at the Music Haven Concert Series on August 14th

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miSci to “Just Add Science” at the Music Haven Concert Series on August 14th

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – August 3, 2016 – On Sunday August 14, 2016,
miSci educators will provide hands-on science demonstrations and activities at
the popular Music Haven Concert Series during a performance by Dervish. The
educational outreach will be presented as part of miSci’s “Just Add Science”
initiative, made possible by a grant from the Science Festival Alliance and
funding from the Simons Foundation. By embedding science outreach activities
within regional cultural events, Just Add Science aims to engage new audiences
in STEAM subjects in a relaxed and non-academic environment. The Just Add
Science outreach at Music Haven next weekend is one of several that miSci will
present throughout the Capital Region in 2016.

“I’m thrilled that Music Haven was selected as a location for
miSci to “Just Add Science,” said Mona Golub, the venue’s longtime Producing
Artistic Director. “This unique opportunity expands the horizon, both literally
and figuratively speaking, for those in attendance, by marrying the open space
of the park with the open expanse of the sky. The crest of Music Haven’s hillside
offers an idea perch, in a beautiful, natural setting, for those interested in
connecting with science by way of miSci’s planetary expertise.”

As a grant awarded by the Science Festival Alliance, a goal of
Just Add Science is to utilize cultural events throughout the year to extend
the reach of miSci’s annual Science Festival of the Capital Region in November.
The festival is a multi-day celebration of STEM in New York’s Capital and Tech
Valley Region featuring hands-on science from more than 40 community partners
and 3,000 visitors. In future years, miSci plans to expand the festival through
programs like Just Add Science which demonstrate the viability of large-scale
science experiences at community locations beyond science centers while honing
successful techniques for inviting participation and motivating new audiences.

In 2016, miSci will present additional Just Add Science programs
at Music Haven, SPAC, Troy Enchanted City Festival, the Carrot Festival, and
the Town of Glenville Oktoberfest. Just Add Science will be at the Music Haven
Concert Series in Central Park next Sunday, August 14th from 6-8 PM, through
intermission. There is no charge for Music Haven concerts or to participate in
Just Add Science activities.

About miSci (Museum of Innovation and Science)

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley
offering an interactive, multimedia experience for visitors of all ages, as
well as programming for school children throughout northeastern New York, western
Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. Mission-driven to “inspire people to
celebrate and explore science and technology, past, present and future,” miSci
is home to an extensive Archival Collection, a Challenger Learning Center, the
Suits-Bueche Planetarium, the Dudley Observatory, and various special exhibits
and programs each year. miSci’s vast Archives house more than 1.6 million
prints and negatives from the GE Photograph collection; an archival collection
with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and more than 15,000
objects relating to the history of science and technology. Featuring dynamic
exhibits, state-of-the-art space learning centers, standards-based education
for K-12 classes and students, and special programming for teens to seniors, miSci
offers patrons hands-on exploration while fostering an understanding and
appreciation of STEM subjects and careers. www.misci.org

About The Music Haven Concert Series

The Music Haven Concert Series is committed to inviting audiences of
the greater Capital Region to ‘travel the world, one concert at a time’ on six
consecutive summer Sunday evenings in the heart of Central Park in Schenectady,
NY. Featuring extraordinary Grammy and other award-winning artists from around
the globe, the free series is entirely accessible and truly a destination for
regional audiences, increasing the opportunity for awareness of and
appreciation for the music of other cultures.

About Science Festival Alliance

The mission of the Science Festival Alliance (SFA) is to foster a
professional community dedicated to more and better science and technology
festivals.

When the SFA began in 2009 only a handful of science festivals existed
in the United States, and they were not working (or even communicating) with
each other. Since that time, the country has enjoyed a surge in the number of
science festivals, and the SFA is now networking together dozens of
independently operated festival initiatives. Whether you are considering
starting a new science festival, would like to partner with existing festivals,
or are just interested in learning about the latest developments, the Science
Festival Alliance is the best place to begin.

The
SFA is not an independent organization, nor is it the exclusive project of a
single institution. It is a collaborative network involving institutions,
initiatives, and individuals that have committed to work together to best serve
our communities through the festival format.

T Minus 1 Day to the Dudley Observatory's International Asteroid Day at miSci

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T Minus 1 Day to International Asteroid Day at miSci

The Dudley Observatory at miSci to host second annual “International Asteroid Day” Event

and Astronomy Activities

SCHENECTADY, NY – June 29, 2016 - The Dudley Observatory at miSci will host its second annual “International Asteroid Day” event from 9 AM to 5 PM on June 30 of 2016 throughout miSci’s patio, auditorium, and galleries.

Asteroid Day is a one-day event open to guests of all ages, and will include activities relating to astronomy and asteroids, as well as first-hand looks at real meteorites on display at miSci. The event will also include opportunities for solar observation (weather permitting), and an Asteroid Redirect Mission PBS webcast.

The event at miSci is a part of a larger International Asteroid Day initiative, co-founded by astrophysicist and Queen guitarist Brian May and film director Grigorij Richters. “Our goal is to dedicate one day each year to learn about asteroids, the origins of our universe, and to support the resources necessary to see, track and deflect dangerous asteroids from Earth’s orbital path,” reveals Dr. Brian May, whose main premise in founding International Asteroid Day emphasizes the fact that “asteroids are a natural disaster we know how to prevent.”

On June 30, 1908, a 40-meter asteroid exploded over Tunguska, Siberia, releasing the equivalent of 100 tons of TNT. The asteroid and its wake devastated an area of about 800 square miles (more than twice the size of New York City). Today, International Asteroid Day is held on the anniversary of this asteroid impact on Earth, with its stated goal to create “a global awareness campaign where people from around the world come together to learn about asteroids, the impact hazard they may pose, and what we can do to protect our planet, families, communities, and future generations from future asteroid impacts.”

The Dudley Observatory’s International Asteroid Day events will be held at miSci on June 30th, 2016 from 9am until 5pm. All Asteroid Day activities and events are free with admission to miSci. MiSci general admission pricing is $7.50 for children, $10.50 for adults, $9.00 for seniors, and free for members. MiSci is open from 9am to 5pm Monday through Saturday, and 12pm to 5pm on Sunday, and is located at 15 Nott Terrace Heights in Schenectady, NY.

About the Dudley Observatory

Founded in 1856, the Dudley Observatory is the nation’s oldest non-academic intuition of astronomical research. It has endured by adapting to the needs of the times and by always serving the community – both the scientific community and the greater Capital Region community. The legacy of Dudley’s observations is preserved in the original equipment, now housed in miSci collections. The Dudley archives and library, containing records of its astronomical work and many rare volumes, are now available to researchers. In 2015, due to the increasing need for greater science education along with the other STEM fields, Dudley entered into a partnership with miSci ( the Museum of Innovation and Science) to provide astronomy programs and education. www.dudleyobservatory.org

About miSci (Museum of Innovation and Science)

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and serves school children from northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership program with the San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based Teaching) program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the Exploratorium resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such as education, inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges; Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid. www.misci.org

miSci’s Roaring and Stomping Prehistoric Giants Are Back for "Return of the Dinosaurs" This Summer!

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miSci’s
Roaring and Stomping Prehistoric Giants Are Back for Return of the Dinosaurs This
Summer!

From June 4 to
September 18, 2016, miSci will showcase a collection of life-like mechanical
dinosaurs, themed hands-on activities, and a special “Dinosaur Prophecy”
planetarium show

Ten giant, animatronic dinosaurs will roar and
stomp their way into miSci’s galleries for a three-month visit from June 4 to
September 18, 2016. Visitors will be greeted by a flying Pteranodon, a massive
T-Rex, gliding sea-going lizards, fearsome predators and prey, gentle giant
herbivores and dinosaur mothers tending their broods. There is even a nest full
of eggs ready to hatch! In addition to interacting with the animatronic
dinosaurs throughout the museum, visitors will learn all about these
prehistoric creatures in the dino dig site, fossil rubbing station, and other
hands-on discovery areas. The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at miSci will also be launching
a special new Dinosaur Prophecy digital
show about how dinosaurs lived and died long before their massive extinction event
65 million years ago. Dinosaur Prophecy will
be presented daily at 12 and 4 PM beginning June 24th.

“Our 2013 Dinosaurs!
exhibit was such a tremendous hit, we were eager to present Return of the Dinosaurs,” said miSci
President Mac Sudduth. “It’s a new set of dinosaurs this time, and we expect
that visitors of all ages will delight in seeing these creatures and exploring
science and natural history at miSci this summer.”

Return of
the Dinosaurs
at miSci is comprised of computer-controlled creatures with realistic skin, body
parts that move, as well as roars and screeches that cause chills! The
creatures, designed by Los Angeles-based Kokoro Exhibits, interact with each
other in natural-looking environments. Kokoro designs each new animal through
consultation with paleontologists at museums and universities throughout the
United States and Canada. The company molds each dinosaur’s skin from silicone
using a patented process based on existing patterns from fossilized dinosaur
skin.

Because scientists are continually gathering
new information on prehistoric animals, the models are updated almost every
year. To emphasize current views of dinosaurs as sociable, not solitary, some
displays such as the Maiasaura exhibit, feature adults and juveniles together.
Still, even fossil records can’t reveal all the secrets about these fascinating
creatures. As scientifically accurate as Kokoro’s designers have tried to be,
there remain many unanswered questions about prehistoric animals. Although
scientists can make educated guesses, no one will ever know the color of a
dinosaur’s skin or how the dinosaur sounded.

Return of
the Dinosaurs
is sponsored by Pioneer Bank, Legere Group, and North Eastern Water Jet, Inc.
All sponsors were invited to “adopt a dinosaur” – giving it a name and
providing for its care throughout the summer. Pioneer Bank adopted both the
T-Rex and Triceratops, using the sponsorship to engage its customers and
employees in naming contests that resulted in “Buck” the T-Rex and “Penny” the
Triceratops. "Pioneer Bank has long supported the mission of miSci, and I
couldn't be happier that we're helping to bring this popular exhibit back to
Schenectady," said Pioneer Bank President and CEO Tom Amell. "We
opened up 'naming rights' to the exhibit's T-Rex as a fun contest for the
public, but we couldn't be more serious about helping miSci educate young
minds."

miSci is located at 15
Nott Terrace Heights in Schenectady. Effective June 4, miSci general admission
pricing will be increased to: Children (3-12) $7.50; Seniors (65+) $9; Adults $10.50.
General admission includes access to all exhibits including Return of the Dinosaurs. Admission to the
Suits-Bueche Planetarium is $5 per show. Dinosaur-themed and other topical
summer science classes are available beginning July 11th. Learn more
at www.miSci.org.

Description: This carnivore usually grew to around 40
feet tall, but some grew to nearly 50 feet. Its 4-foot-long head had a mouth
full of 6-inch fangs. The skeletal structure indicates that it had very
powerful jaw muscles and a strong, flexible neck. It probably had extremely
good senses of smell and sight; possibly even binocular vision. It probably fed
mainly on various species of herbivorous dinosaurs. Because of its large size,
this animal was too specialized for long-term success as a species. It was too
dependent upon large herbivores to feed on, and thus it was less flexible and
adaptable than smaller carnivorous animals.

Description: The biggest of the horn-faced dinosaurs,
Triceratops lived in large herds. The neck frill, unlike that of similar
species, was a solid sheet of bone lacking the usual large openings. This
probably made it a more effective defense against predators. Often the edges of
the frill had pointed knobs, and there may have been structural differences in
the frill between males and females. The sharp brow horns could have caused
considerable injury to an attacking carnivore. Hundreds of skulls and many
well-preserved skeletal remains of Triceratops have been unearthed since the
late 1800's. They were one of the last species of dinosaurs to live.

Description: This was the largest of the thick-headed
dinosaurs. This particular species is known only from its skull. The top of the
head was a dome of solid bone, 10 inches thick. This dinosaur is generally
thought to have behaved in much the same way as modern mountain goats do, with
the males engaging in head-butting fights for dominance. This theory is
supported not only by the thickness of the skull, but also by the fact that the
skeletal structure of similar thick-skulled dinosaurs seems to have been
designed for absorbing the shock of head-on collisions. It was one of the last
of the large herbivorous dinosaurs.

Description: Belonged to an early group of armored
dinosaurs. The plates might have been a protection against attacking meat-eaters
(along with the tail spikes), but it is also possible that they were covered
with thin, blood-rich skin and helped the animal regulate its body temperature.
It is not known for certain exactly how the back plates were positioned in
life. The head was relatively tiny, with a brain about the size of a walnut,
and there was a large cavity in the hip vertebrae which may have housed a mass
of nerve tissue aiding in motor control of the huge hind legs. Like many
toothless herbivores, it may have swallowed stones to help grind up the plants
it ate, as do modern-day chickens.

Description:This
dinosaur was a predecessor to the large carnosaurs of the Late Cretaceous. It
was the largest of a group of dinosaurs characterized by the large
sickle-shaped claw on the second toe of each foot (same as its smaller
relative, Velociraptor). It had a lightweight body that was built for speed. Its
teeth were numerous and angled slightly backwards in the mouth, and had
serrated edges for meat-shearing. It was most likely a warm-blooded, active
predator. The remains of this creature have been found with those of the large
plant-eater Tenontosaurus. Deinonychus probably hunted such prey in packs.

Description: This marine reptile belonged to a small
group that was an aquatic offshoot of the monitor lizards. Its tail was about
as long as its body, and it probably swam by moving its entire body in
snake-like motions, using its short limbs to steer. It lived fairly close to
shorelines and probably fed on fish and invertebrate sea creatures (either with
or without shells). Evidence from the remains of ammonites, which were
soft-bodied invertebrates encased in coiled shells, show Mosasaur tooth marks
in a specific pattern. They apparently bit the shell from several different
angles in order to crack it open and eat the inside.

Description: Belonged to a group of long-necked marine
reptiles called plesiosaurs. This was the longest species. Its neck alone was
26 feet long, made up of 71 vertebrae, and had considerable sideways mobility.
Elasmosaurus propelled itself through the water with four paddle-shaped limbs,
using vertical, flight-like strokes as modern sea turtles do. It probably
hunted the mid-size fish and squid it ate by swimming along the surface with
its head up to survey the water. When the prey came into view, it would dart
its long neck down into the water. The structure of its dense belly ribs
suggests that, like the modern sea turtle, it may have crawled onto the beach
to lay eggs in the sand.

Description: Maiasaura belonged to the group of
dinosaurs called hadrosaurs, or duck-bills. The historic discovery of their
nesting sites in the badlands of Montana revealed completely new information
about the social behavior of dinosaurs. Scientists discovered evidence of many
bird-like behaviors: they traveled in huge herds; the parent Maiasaurs nested
in colonies, brought food to and cared for their hatchlings; and the herds
probably migrated back to the same place each year to raise young. The babies
were dependent on their parents for some time after hatching, and had growth
patterns similar to those of modern birds and mammals. Maiasaura was a very
successful species in general.

Description: A member of the flying reptile, pterodactyl
family. Most likely a glider. Its short, tailless body was relatively heavy.
The function of the great crest on the back of its head is unknown. It could
have been an aid for flight, perhaps acting as a stabilizer, or it could have
simply acted as an aerodynamic counterbalance to the heavy, elongated head. The
jaws were toothless. It probably fed like a modern pelican, scooping up fish in
its long, narrow jaws and swallowing them whole.

ABOUT
MISCI:

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley offering a
multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and serves school children from
northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. In 2012,
miSci entered into a partnership program with the San Francisco-based
Exploratorium’s ExNET
(Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based Teaching) program, miSci receives a
different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich exhibits each year for five
years, as well as access to the Exploratorium resources to advance each
partner’s work in specific areas such as education, inquiry, science
engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the northeast
and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more
than 1.6 million prints and negatives; an archival collection with more than
3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating
to the history of science and technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878
Edison tinfoil, the second oldest documented Edison tinfoil recording, the
oldest playable American voice. miSci offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid. www.misci.org

The Dudley Observatory’s Outreach Astronomer, Dr. Valerie Rapson, will
host a day of astronomy activities related to the Transit of Mercury at miSci on Monday, May 9, 2016 from 9 AM – 3
PM. Dr. Rapson will explain the science and significance of the “transit of
Mercury,” lead safe solar viewing, and hands-on sun-themed activities
throughout the miSci galleries, and a live stream of the transit from an
additional viewing location.

A transit of mercury occurs when the planet Mercury crosses in front of
the sun from Earth’s vantage. With special solar viewing equipment, observers
can see a small black dot pass across the sun over the span of 7.5 hours. Not
only are planetary transits across the sun interesting events to observe, but
they are also historically significant. Prior to modern technology, transits of
Mercury and Venus were used to calculate the distance between planets and the
sun. Occurring just once every several years, the next transit of Mercury will
not happen until 2019.

According to Dr. Rapson, “a transit of Mercury is an exciting
astronomical event that we get to observe only a few times a century. By safely
observing the transit, we can teach the public about planets and the solar
system and let them see planetary movement in action. Even though the event is
in the middle of a school day, I’m hopeful that the public and schools will see
the transit as an important learning opportunity and join us at miSci for some astronomy
activities.”

The Transit of Mercury event
at miSci will feature special equipment for safe solar viewing. Says miSci
President William “Mac” Sudduth, “it’s critically important that the sun only
be observed with special equipment, since looking directly at the sun can
seriously damage your vision.” Dr. Rapson will instruct visitors on how to properly
observe the sun using solar glasses and telescopes with solar filters. If
inclement weather prohibits direct observation, Dr. Rapson will narrate a live-stream
of the transit from another viewing location, and additional astronomy activities
will be available in the miSci lobby for families and school groups in
attendance.

The Dudley Observatory’s Transit
of Mercury event will occur on Monday, May 9, 2016 from 9 AM to 3 PM at
miSci. Special admission for groups is just $5 and includes miSci general
admission – call 382-7890 x237 for reservations. The Transit of Mercury event is free with
miSci General Admission for all other visitors. miSci is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. miSci is located at 15 Nott
Terrace Heights in Schenectady. MiSci General Admission is: Children (3-12)
$6.50; Seniors (65+) $8; Adults $9.50. Add $5 for a planetarium show.

About the Dudley Observatory

Founded in 1856, the Dudley Observatory is the nation’s oldest
non-academic intuition of astronomical research. It has endured by
adapting to the needs of the times and by always serving the community – both
the scientific community and the greater Capital Region community. The
legacy of Dudley’s observations are preserved in the original equipment, now
housed in miSci collections. The Dudley archives and library, containing
records of its astronomical work and many rare volumes, are now available to
researchers. In 2015, due to the increasing need for greater science education
along with the other STEM fields, Dudley entered into a partnership with miSci
( the Museum of Innovation and Science) to provide astronomy programs and
education. www.dudleyobservatory.org

About miSci (Museum of
Innovation and Science)

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley
offering a multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and serves school
children from northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern
Vermont. In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership program with the San
Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for
Exhibit-Based Teaching) program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on,
exploratory-rich exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the
Exploratorium resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such
as education, inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest
documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci
offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid. www.misci.org

miSci is currently presenting an
exhibit of invention prototypes created by the 100 semi-finalists of the 2016 Invention Convention – the Capital
Region’s annual student invention competition. From a Mega Lego Vacuum Sorter
to an Activated Nutritional Lunchbox and an Underwater Oxygen Converter, the
inventions were chosen from 1,368 student submissions from 30 schools across the
Capital Region. A reception will be held at miSci on Thursday, May 19 at 5:30
PM to celebrate the semi-finalists, followed by a 6:00 PM keynote address and award
ceremony to announce the 25 finalists.

Invention Convention is an annual
student invention competition open to Capital District students from grades K
through eight from public, private and home schools ranging as far south as New
York City and as far north as Glens Falls. Students are invited to submit a
proposal of an original idea for a device or a method for solving a problem
that can occur in the environment, in technology or industry, in the classroom,
home or during leisure time activities. A volunteer team of GE scientists and patent
lawyers, along with other professionals from the community evaluated the
submissions and chose the top 100 entries and the 25 finalists.

“Since miSci is all about
sparking innovation, Invention Convention
is an important annual event – requiring the collaboration of area
schools, GE, patent attorneys and other corporate supporters,” says miSci
President Mac Sudduth. “Solving problems is part of the human experience and in
our DNA, and the students seek solutions to real problems that they face in
their daily lives. Invention
Convention is one of my favorite events, and I know visitors to miSci
will be impressed and delighted by the ingenuity of the student
inventors, and how they apply lessons from their study of STEM subjects
(science, technology, engineering and math) to solve everyday problems.”

The keynote speaker at 2016 Award
Ceremony will be from a Principal Scientist at GE Global Research, Kevin
Harding, who will deliver a talk on “The Art of Invention,” taking a look at
the wonders of invention and sharing his own insights on how to solve tough
problems with simple ideas. As a 40-year veteran of the technological community
and the owner of more than 70 patents, Mr. Harding has been writing and
speaking about inventions as well as providing mentorship to budding scientists
for nearly 15 years.

Each year, a GE scientist or
engineer is selected to be the Invention
Convention keynote speaker as one of the many ways the company collaborates
with miSci on this initiative. Since the inception of Invention Convention in 1997, GE has supported the competition with
more than $90,000 in funding and more than 700 volunteers who serve as judges,
school visitors and core planning team members.

Jacob Vander Valk, There's a Mouse in the House, Dorothy Nolan
Elementary School

Luca VanSchaick, The Rain Reflector, Mekeel Christian Academy

Henry Varga, Sticky Plate, Bradt Elementary School

Nora Wild, Tucker Keeper, Acadia Middle School

Joshua Wildermuth, Seatbelt Scanner, Dorothy Nolan Elementary School

Aidan Wilkins, Clip-upps, Oliver W. Winch

Joseph Wiltsie, Risebrella, Milton Terrace Elementary

Sean Wodzinski, Big erase, Wood Road Elementary

Lauren Zimmerman, The Clean Machine, Oliver Winch Middle School

About Kevin Harding

Kevin Harding is a Principal Scientist at GE Global Research. At the GE Global Research Center he provides
guidance on a wide range of optical technology projects doing work for the many
businesses of GE. Before joining GE, he
was the Director of the Electro-Optics Lab at the Industrial Technology
Institute for 14 years. Within the technical community for almost 40 years, he
has been recognized for this work by many organizations including: SPIE (International
Society for Optics and Photonics) Presidents Award (2010); SME (Society of
Manufacturing Engineers) Eli Whitney Productivity Award (1997); Automated
Imaging Association, Leadership Award (1994); Engineering Society of Detroit
Leadership Award (1990); and Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
Outstanding Young Engineer Award (1989). Kevin has published more than 150 technical
papers and 72 patents, taught more than 80 short courses and tutorials to
industrial and academic audiences, as well as written a book on Optical
Metrology. He was the 2008 President of SPIE-the
International Society for Optics and Photonics and is a fellow of the SPIE. He
has been talking to schools about inventions for almost 15 years, and has been
an active mentor in after school science programs.

About Invention Convention

Invention Convention was originally developed as part of the Kennedy
Center Imagination Celebration through the New York State Alliance for Arts.
Over time, the Alliance moved out of direct programming for children toward
arts advocacy and professional development for teachers.

In 1997, two GE patent attorneys approached the Alliance about
reinstating Invention Convention in the Capital Region. The Alliance opted not
to be involved, but directed them to the Schenectady Museum, now miSci. The
museum took on the program, given the strong connection with its mission and
collections. A planning committee with members from GE and the museum was
formed, along with representatives from Schmeiser, Olsen & Watts LLP,
Eastern New York Intellectual Property Law Association, and later Heslin
Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti P.C.

In 2003, three separate divisions were established for separate judging
by grade level: Edison (K-2), Steinmetz (3-5) and Coolidge (6-8). The number of
semifinalists in each division is proportionate to the total number of entries
per division. Since its inception in 1998, participation has increased from 167
entries 1368 in 2016. This year, volunteers will contribute more than 500 hours
toward the management of Invention Convention.

For more information, visit: www.geglobalresearch.com/inventionconvention.

About miSci

Founded in 1934, miSci is
the only science center in Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for
visitors of all ages and serves school children from northeastern New York,
western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. In 2012, miSci entered into a
partnership program with the San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for
Exhibit-Based Teaching) program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on,
exploratory-rich exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the
Exploratorium resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such
as education, inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at miSci
houses the only GOTO Star Projector
in the northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include an extensive GE
Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and negatives; an
archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and
more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and technology.
miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest documented
Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on
activities and challenges; Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by
National Grid. www.misci.org

Step Into Springtime at miSci’s Discover Butterflies Exhibit

see details +

Step Into Springtime at miSci's Discover Butterflies Exhibit

Indoor Butterfly House Opens February 13, First Day of School Break

Escape this winter’s snow and cold with a breath of spring! Discover Butterflies, an exhibit of hundreds of native butterflies fluttering around in an indoor butterfly house, opens Saturday, February 13 at miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science. Opening Day activities include new shows in the planetarium, science demos, and a journey through the heart in the Science Zone.

“People have been asking us all year to bring the wildly popular Discover Butterflies back to miSci. Visitors see it again and again; it’s quality science that people love at the region’s science center,” said miSci President Dr. Mac Sudduth. “Butterflies are a fun way for visitors to explore science and nature up close during the cold winter months. Appealing to everyone – from students to scientists and babies to seniors, Discover Butterflies makes miSci a must-see attraction in the Capital Region with something for everyone.”

At miSci’s Discover Butterflies, visitors can step into the spring-like indoor butterfly house and walk among hundreds of brilliantly-colored native butterflies, including: Monarchs, Black Swallowtails, Buckeyes, Painted Ladies, Common Buckeyes, Red Admirals, and Spicebush Swallowtails, or observe new butterflies emerging from pupae in the chrysalis chamber throughout the run of the exhibit. The exhibit consists of a re-creation of the butterflies’ natural, outdoor habitat with plants and flowers the butterflies require for food – all tended by masterful volunteer gardeners.

Discover Butterflies at miSci opens February 13 and runs through May 1 and is sponsored in part by GOsolar.com. miSci is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday and 12:00 to 5:00 pm Sunday. miSci is closed Easter Sunday, March 27.

miSci is located at 15 Nott Terrace Heights in Schenectady. Admission is: Children (3-12) $6.50; Seniors (65+) $8; Adults $9.50. Add $5 for a planetarium show. General admission includes admission to all exhibits including Discover Butterflies, demos and Science Zone activities.

ABOUT THE BUTTERFLIES

MonarchsThe upper side of the male is bright orange with wide black borders and black veins; the hind wing has a patch of scent scales. The upper side of the female is orange-brown with wide black borders and blurred black veins. Both sexes have white spots on borders and apex. Their wingspan is three and three-eighth inches to four and seven-eighth inches.

Black SwallowtailsThe upper surface of the wings is mostly black; there is a black spot centered in larger orange spot on the inner edge of hind. The male has a yellow band near the edge of the wings. The female has a row of yellow spots; the female hind wing has an iridescent blue band. Their wingspan is three and one-quarter inches to four and one-quarter inches.

Painted LadiesThe upper side is orange-brown with darker wing bases. The forewing has a black apex patch and a white bar on leading edge; the hind wing has a sub-marginal row of five small black spots sometimes has blue scales. The underside has a black, brown, and gray pattern with four small sub-marginal eyespots. Their wingspan is two inches to two and seven-eighths inches.

Common BuckeyesThe Upper side is brown. The forewing has 2 orange cell bars and 2 eyespots; part of white subapical band appears in the largest, lower eyespot. The hindwing has 2 eyespots; the upper one is largest and contains a magenta crescent. The underside of hindwing is brown or tan in the wet season (summer) form and rose-red in the dry season (fall) form. Their wingspan is one and five-eighths to two and three-fourths inches.

Red AdmiralsThe Upper side is black with white spots near the apex. The forewing has a red median band and the hindwing a red marginal band. The winter form is smaller and duller while the summer form is larger and brighter with an interrupted forewing band. Their wingspan is one and three-quarter to three inches.

Spicebush SwallowtailsThe upper surface of the wings is dark brown or black. There are blue-green or blue patches on the hind-wings and off white spots on the edges. Their wingspan is three to four inches.

10:00 am: Little Wonders Star ShowDiscover the wonders of the night sky at an introductory planetarium show designed especially for our youngest audiences.

11:00 am: IBEX - Search for the Edge of the Solar System Take a journey to the boundary between our Solar System and the rest of our galaxy! Get an in-depth look at NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) mission and how IBEX is collecting high-speed atoms to create a map of our Solar System's boundary. Narrated by two inquisitive teenagers, this show features the scientists and engineers who developed the IBEX mission and created the spacecraft, as well as the latest updates on the mission's discoveries. Produced by the Adler Planetarium for the Southwest Research Institute.

12:00 pm: Earth’s Wild Ride Planetarium ShowExplore the Earth as you’ve never done before -- as observed by a fictional family relocated on the Moon! Discover crashing asteroids, erupting volcanoes, roaring dinosaurs, electrifying lightning and booming thunder. See eclipses, the ice age, Earth's water cycle and the differences between the Earth and Moon on a roller-coaster-like ride through canyons of raging rivers and hot flowing lava. Produced in collaboration with Rice University, through NASA's Immersive Earth Project.

12:30 pm: Science Discovery Demo: How the Eye Works Learn all about our windows to the world – our eyes.

3:00 pm: Night of the Hunter Planetarium ShowExplore Orion, a constellation currently visible in the winter night sky, and discover why it was named after a Greek hunter in this fun and informative live exploration of the stars, constellations and planets visible in the winter night sky.

4:00 pm: Earth’s Wild Ride Planetarium Show

ABOUT MISCI

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley
offering a multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and serves school
children from northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern
Vermont. In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership program with the San
Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for
Exhibit-Based Teaching) program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on,
exploratory-rich exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the
Exploratorium resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such
as education, inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest
documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci
offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

In conjunction
with its new Design, Build, Create KĒVA!
Exhibit and the annual Trains & Toys
Holiday Exhibition, miSci has invited local architecture firms to
participate in a competition to build a masterpiece using Kēva Planks.

Teams of four
will receive one thousand Planks and have two hours to create their structures
on December 4, 2015 from 5-7:30 pm. Following the theme “Way to Go”, the structures will have to demonstrate how to fly,
float, roll, motor, or otherwise travel. The completed designs will be on
display through January 7, 2016. Two awards will be presented, the first one by
a panel of judges and the second by people’s choice, at a reception on January
7, 2016 from 6-8 pm.

Kēva Planks are
identical, precision-cut, wooden blocks that create incredibly stable
structures. Without any glue or connectors, the one simple building block can
create an infinite number of construction possibilities. The versatility of Kēva Planks inspired Daria
Mallin of ENVISION Architects and Chairperson of the miSci Kēva Plank Build. “I was struck by the variation in the
masterpieces of display at miSci – they incorporate such creativity and detail
– and some of the heights and spans achieved are impressive!”

The museum
hopes to make the Kēva Plank Build
competition for architects an annual event. miSci President Dr. Mac Sudduth is
“looking forward to seeing KEVA structures designed by architects from the
region. The contest has helped us add to our KEVA exhibit and outreach”. Design,
Build, Create, KEVA! is an ongoing exhibit at miSci. It provides a hands-on
learning activity that encourages team-building, creativity, and problem solving.
Kēva Planks captivates everyone from toddlers to seniors for hours while
reinforcing STEAM principles (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and
Mathematics).Design,
Build, Create, KEVA! is a new permanent exhibit at miSci, an
Educational Gift from Jane and Neil Golub & Friends. miSci is located at 15
Nott Terrace Heights in Schenectady and is open 9am to 5pm Monday through
Saturday and 12 to 5pm Sunday.

Founded
in 1934, miSci is the only
science center in Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for visitors of
all ages and serves school children from northeastern New York, western
Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. miSci houses the Challenger Learning
Center of the Capital Region, a state-of the-art STEM teaching tool which
offers simulated space missions to school classes, community groups, work teams,
scout troops, birthday celebrations, camp-ins, private parties and team
building events. In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership
program with the San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based Teaching) program,
miSci receives a different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich exhibits each
year for five years, as well as access to the Exploratorium resources to
advance each partner’s work in specific areas such as education, inquiry,
science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the northeast
and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more
than 1.6 million prints and negatives; an archival collection with more than
3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating
to the history of science and technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878
Edison tinfoil, the second oldest documented Edison tinfoil recording, the
oldest playable American voice. miSci offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid. For more
information, visit www.misci.org.

To
kick off the opening of its new Design,
Build, Create, KEVA! exhibit, miSci (the Museum of Innovation and Science)
has challenged local media to see who can build the best tower in 10 minutes
using the exhibit’s wooden planks. The competition will take place Tuesday,
September 22 at 1pm in the new exhibit at the science center.

Design, Build, Create, KEVA! is a new exhibit consisting of 15,000 KEVA
planks, which are identical precision-cut smooth wooden blocks – all ¼ inch
thick, ¾ inch long and 4 ½ inches wide – that become surprisingly stable when
stacked together. There 30 are permanent structures on display including a
London’s Tower Bridge, a Greek Temple, and a Civil War battlefield, from which
visitors can draw inspiration for their own structures. The exhibit includes
prompts and challenges designed to spark visitors’ curiosity, building stations
so visitors stay and construct comfortably, and a seemingly endless supply of
planks.

“The
new exhibit is more than just playing with blocks. KEVA construction projects
stretch the mind with physics challenges that use principles of balance,
cantilevers, geometric shapes, optimum proportion, stability and more, and they
require thinking in three dimensions,” said miSci President Dr. Mac Sudduth. “Constructing
with KEVA planks is communal and cooperative, allowing for easy conversation
and collaboration among builders of all ages.”

Design, Build, Create, KEVA! is a new permanent exhibit at miSci, an Educational Gift from Jane
and Neil Golub & Friends. miSci is located at 15 Nott Terrace Heights
in Schenectady and is open 9am to 5pm Monday through Saturday and 12 to 5pm
Sunday.

Founded
in 1934, miSci is the only
science center in Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for visitors of
all ages and serves school children from northeastern New York, western
Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. miSci houses the Challenger Learning
Center of the Capital Region, a state-of the-art STEM teaching tool which
offers simulated space missions to school classes, community groups, work teams,
scout troops, birthday celebrations, camp-ins, private parties and team
building events. In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership
program with the San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based Teaching) program,
miSci receives a different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich exhibits each
year for five years, as well as access to the Exploratorium resources to
advance each partner’s work in specific areas such as education, inquiry,
science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the northeast
and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more
than 1.6 million prints and negatives; an archival collection with more than
3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating
to the history of science and technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878
Edison tinfoil, the second oldest documented Edison tinfoil recording, the
oldest playable American voice. miSci offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid. For more
information, visit www.misci.org.

Free Admission for All Participants Presenting a Museum Day Live! Ticket on September 26, 2015See Earth
Exposed from San Francisco’s Exploratorium & more!

The Museum of Innovation and Science,
miSci, will open its
doors free of charge on Saturday September 26, 2015, as part of Smithsonian magazine’s eleventh annual Museum Day Live! On this day only,
participating museums across the United States emulate the spirit of the
Smithsonian Institution’s Washington DC-based facilities, which offer free
admission every day, and open their doors for free to those who download a
Museum Day Live! ticket.

Inclusive
by design, the event represents Smithsonian’s commitment to make learning and
the spread of knowledge accessible to everyone. Last
year’s event drew over 400,000 participants, and this year’s event is expected
to attract more museum goers than ever before.

Visitors to
miSci can see EARTH EXPOSED: Discover Our
Planet’s Hidden Secrets from San Francisco’s Exploratorium: Explore the tumultuous forces of
our planet: earthquakes,
floods, tornadoes,
volcanoes & more! Discover the science behind weather patterns,
ocean currents, and all of the
forces of nature that form our landscape, seascape and even
cloudscape with more than 30 interactive exhibits from San Francisco's Exploratorium.
Rock out with fluorescent
minerals glowing in black light, meteorites from this region,
precious mineral treasures from New York and man-made diamonds. Visitors
can also explore the water table and kids’ supermarket in the Play Space; MRI: Examining the Human Body,
which explores the science behind magnetic resonance imaging, a landmark
medical imaging system developed right here in the Capital Region; and more.

The
Museum Day Live! ticket will be available for download beginning in August at Smithsonian.com/museumday. Visitors who present the
Museum Day Live! ticket will gain free entrance for two at participating venues
for one day only. One ticket, per household, per
email address is permitted.
For more information about Museum Day Live! 2015 and
a full list of participating museums and cultural institutions, please visit Smithsonian.com/museumday.

For
more information, please visit Smithsonian.com/museumdaylive.

miSci
is located at 15 Nott Terrace Heights in Schenectady and will be open from 9:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, Museum Day Live!

About miSciFounded in
1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley offering a multimedia
experience for visitors of all ages and serves school children from
northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. In 2012,
miSci entered into a partnership program with the San Francisco-based
Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based Teaching)
program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich
exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the Exploratorium
resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such as education,
inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the northeast and
is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include an extensive GE
Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and negatives; an
archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and
more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and technology.
miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest documented
Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci offers
Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges; Saturday Science
Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

About Smithsonian Media
Smithsonian Media comprises of its flagship publication, Smithsonian magazine,
as well as Air & Space, Smithsonian Books, and the Smithsonian Media
Digital Network. In addition, Smithsonian Media overseas the Smithsonian
Institution’s interest in the Smithsonian Channel, a joint venture between the
Smithsonian Institution and CBS/Showtime. Smithsonian Media is a division of
Smithsonian Enterprises, the revenue-generating business unit of the
Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest
museum and research complex consisting of 19 museums and galleries, the
National Zoological Park and nine research facilities. Approximately 30 million
people from around the world visit the museums annually.

Two years after the Dudley Observatory moved to
miSci (the Museum of Innovation and Science), the 163-year-old astronomy
institution and the region’s science center are strengthening their existing collaboration
into a new strategic partnership with the appointment of a new Dudley
Observatory Astronomer, Dr. Valerie Rapson, and with miSci providing
administrative support to the Dudley Observatory.

Dudley Observatory Astronomer,
Dr. Valerie Rapson, received a Ph.D.from the Rochester Institute of Technology
in Astrophysical Sciences and Technology and a Bachelor’s degree in physics and
astronomy from the University of Rochester. She has extensive research
experience in the
chemical composition and structure of planet-forming disks around nearby young
stars and in atmospheric science and star formation as observed by infrared
telescopes. Dr. Rapson brings extensive
experience in the field of informal astronomy education reaching people of all
ages from summer class students to senior citizens. Dr. Rapson’s Senior Science
program is featured in the October issue of Astronomy
Magazine.

“I’m really excited to be
spearheading the astronomy education programs at the Dudley Observatory. This
facility offers so much wonderful history, and the recent partnering with miSci
will really help the observatory grow its educational programming. We hope to
reach out to all members of the public, both young and young-at-heart, and
teach them the wonders of astronomy,” said Dudley Observatory Astronomer Dr.
Valerie Rapson. “Everyone should have the opportunity to learn about the
Universe. My goal for Dudley is to enhance the current programming beyond basic
night sky observing and present scientific material in a fun and understandable
way. You don’t need to be a ‘rocket scientist’ to learn about, understand, and
enjoy astronomy.”

Under the new partnership, miSci will manage
back office duties for the Dudley Observatory, which will maintain a separate
board of directors comprised of top academics from all of the institutions of
higher learning in the Capital Region.

The new partnership builds on their existing
collaboration which has allowed the Dudley Observatory to expand the reach of
its astronomy programs through miSci’s increasing audience. Since moving to
miSci in 2013, the Dudley has had a public presence in miSci’s transforming facility
and its important History of Astronomy Library & Archives has been housed
properly along with miSci’s prestigious archival collection of more than 1.5
million images and artifacts. Since the initial collaboration, miSci has
benefited from the astronomy expertise of the Dudley’s Board of Directors who
represent ground-breaking research and education in Astronomy and Astrophysics
at RPI, Union, University at Albany and Siena.

“As the region’s science center, we
have a climate of collaboration at miSci, and we are proud to be partnering
with the Dudley Observatory to help bring more top quality astronomy programs
to an expanding audience,” said miSci’s President Dr. Mac Sudduth. “We welcome the
chance to help offer astronomy programs and events by the Dudley Observatory at
miSci to the Capital Region and beyond.”

In conjunction with Dr. Rapson’s appointment as the Dudley Observatory Astronomer
and the new alliance with miSci, the Dudley Observatory is also unveiling a new
website which is already live at dudleyobservatory.org. The new site
captures the excitement and dynamism of the Dudley Observatory’s new energy
with information on the organization’s significant archives and collections; astronomy
programs and events; information about the current night sky and viewing
opportunities; and more. The site also serves as a resource for night sky
viewing information and opportunities as well as information about cultivating
an interest in the night sky and an introduction to telescopes.

About
Dudley ObservatoryThe Dudley Observatory,
chartered by the State of New York in 1852, is the oldest independent
organization in the United States supporting research and education in
astronomy and the history of astronomy. The current focus of the Dudley Observatory is on using astronomy to
promote science education, with an emphasis on education, recruitment and early
career development in science and technology. The Dudley Observatory’s
library contains one of the world's finest collections of historically
significant astronomical texts, including rare books of Copernicus, Galileo,
and Kepler. The first Dudley Observatory was constructed on a hill in North
Albany in 1856. In 1893 a second Observatory was built on Lake Avenue near New Scotland Avenue in
Albany and remained in operation until 1965. During the 20th century, Dudley Observatory astronomers achieved world
class status with their accurate determination of the positions and motions of
more than 30,000 stars. From 1956 to 1976, the Observatory was a world leader
in the study of micrometeorites,
tiny particles less than one-ten-thousandth of a meter in diameter that bombard
the earth from space. During the 1970s, the Dudley Observatory also operated a
100-foot radio telescope
at Bolton Landing, New York. Dudley
Observatory’s programs include the SkyWatch Lectures, the Rising Stars
Internship program, the Hessberg Campership Award, a collaboration with the
Capital Region BOCES to provide Star Lab inflatable planetarium programs for
schools, Octagon Barn Star Parties.

About
miSciFounded in 1934, miSci is the only science center in
Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and
serves school children from northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and
southern Vermont. miSci houses the Challenger Learning Center of the Capital
Region, a state-of the-art STEM teaching tool which offers simulated space
missions to school classes, community groups, work teams, scout troops,
birthday celebrations, camp-ins, private parties and team building events. In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership
program with the San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based Teaching) program,
miSci receives a different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich exhibits each
year for five years, as well as access to the Exploratorium resources to
advance each partner’s work in specific areas such as education, inquiry,
science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the northeast
and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more
than 1.6 million prints and negatives; an archival collection with more than
3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating
to the history of science and technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878
Edison tinfoil, the second oldest documented Edison tinfoil recording, the
oldest playable American voice. miSci offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid. For more
information, visit www.misci.org.

The Dudley Observatory at miSci (the Museum of Innovation
and Science) is hosting an International
Observe the Moon Night event Saturday, September 19 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
at miSci. Joining with people from around the world participating in similar
events across the globe, residents of all ages from the Capital Region and
beyond will come together for hands-on astronomy activities and observing the Moon
through telescopes (weather permitting).

International Observe the Moon Night (InOMN) is an annual
world-wide public engagement program that encourages observation, appreciation,
and understanding of our Moon and its connection to NASA planetary science and exploration. People from all over the
world will be joining in the celebration by uniting on this one day to look at
and learn more about the Moon together.

“International Observe the Moon Night with the Dudley
Observatory at miSci is a chance for people from throughout the region and
beyond to come together to explore our Moon and its importance to NASA projects
and exploration,” said miSci President Dr. Mac Sudduth.

International Observe the Moon Night
is sponsored by NASA's Lunar
Reconnaissance Orbiter, NASA's Solar
System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI), and the Lunar and
Planetary Institute.

miSci is located at 15 Nott Terrace Heights in
Schenectady. Admission to International Observe the Moon Night is $6.50 for
children (3 – 12), $8 for seniors (65+), and $9.50 for adults. For more
information, please call 518.382.7890 x 259 or visit www.dudleyobservatory.org.

About Dudley Observatory

The Dudley
Observatory, chartered by the State of New York in 1852, is the oldest
independent organization in the United States supporting research and education
in astronomy and the history of astronomy. The current focus of the Dudley Observatory is on using astronomy to
promote science education, with an emphasis on education, recruitment and early
career development in science and technology. The Dudley Observatory’s
library contains one of the world's finest collections of historically significant
astronomical texts, including rare books of Copernicus, Galileo, and
Kepler. The first Dudley Observatorywas constructed on a
hill in North Albany in 1856. In 1893 a second Observatory was built on Lake
Avenue near New Scotland Avenue in Albany and remained in operation until
1965. During the 20th century, Dudley
Observatory astronomers achieved world class status with their accurate
determination of the positions and motions of more than 30,000 stars. From 1956
to 1976, the Observatory was a world leader in the study of micrometeorites, tiny particles less
than one-ten-thousandth of a meter in diameter that bombard the earth from
space. During the 1970s, the Dudley Observatory also operated a 100-foot radio telescope at Bolton Landing,
New York. Dudley Observatory’s programs
include the SkyWatch Lectures, the Rising Stars Internship program, the
Hessberg Campership Award, Starlab inflatable planetarium programs for schools,
Octagon Barn Star Parties, and the Summer Astronomy Institute for Teachers at
RPI.

About miSci

Founded in 1934, miSci
is the only science center in Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for
visitors of all ages and serves school children from northeastern New York,
western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. miSci houses the Challenger
Learning Center of the Capital Region, a state-of the-art STEM teaching tool
which offers simulated space missions to school classes, community groups, work
teams, scout troops, birthday celebrations, camp-ins, private parties and team
building events.In 2012, miSci entered
into a partnership program with the San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for
Exhibit-Based Teaching) program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on,
exploratory-rich exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the
Exploratorium resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such
as education, inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at miSci
houses the only GOTO Star Projector
in the northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include an extensive GE
Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and negatives; an
archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and
more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and technology.
miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest documented
Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on
activities and challenges; Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by
National Grid. For more information, visit www.misci.org.

Saturn,
the Ringed Planet, Comes to SchenectadyNEW Planetarium Show Opens @ miSci September
8High Definition, Full Dome, Immersive Show

Saturn: Ring World, a new planetarium show about the
ringed planet, opens Tuesday, September 8 at miSci, the Museum of Innovation
and Science. A show for all ages, this high definition, full-dome exploration
lets visitors see Saturn up-close.

Saturn is the true "Lord of the Rings". After
nearly seven years in transit, the two-story Cassini-Huygens spacecraft began
orbiting Saturn on July 1, 2004. Cassini continues to explore Saturn and its
moons during its extended mission, while the Huygens probe had landed on the
surface of Titan, Saturn's largest moon. The Cassini Saturn encounter began
with a flyby of Saturn's farthest moon, Phoebe.

Saturn: Ring World is narrated by Star Trek's John
Billingsley (Dr. Phlox on ENTERPRISE) and was produced by the Houston Museum of
Natural Science and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at miSci is powered by the new
projector and the GOTO Chronos Star Machine, a state-of-the-art teaching tool,
which allows visitors to see 8,500
stars, close to the actual number of visible stars in the night sky. The GOTO
Chronos can show the sky from any location on Earth and any place in the solar
system; simulate the roll, pitch and yaw that astronauts experience on a space
flight; and show the sky, for any point, 99,999 years in the past or the
future.

An official NASA Space Place since 2005, the Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci welcomes thousands and thousands of visitors annually. In
addition to offering a full schedule of public planetarium shows, miSci also
offers planetarium specially designed shows for every grade level from
pre-kindergarten through college for visiting school, scout and community
groups. The Suits-Bueche Planetarium is a popular spot during miSci’s quarterly
after hours special evening events and is also available for private rentals,
during which it has been used as the setting or wedding proposals and
anniversary celebrations.

miSci is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Saturday and
12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sunday and is located at 15 Nott Terrace Heights in
Schenectady. Saturn: Ring World will run at 2:00 pm daily and 11:00 am
Saturdays and school holidays. Admission to miSci is $6.50 for children (3 –
12), $8 for seniors (65+), and $9.50 for adults; add $5 for a Planetarium
Show.For more information, please call
518.382.7890 or visit www.miSci.org.

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center
in Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and
serves school children from northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and
southern Vermont. In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership program with the
San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for
Exhibit-Based Teaching) program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich
exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the Exploratorium
resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such as education,
inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest
documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci
offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

Ninety-two-year-old Slingerlands resident Bertha Kotlow
has donated her lifetime collection of 2,500 minerals and 600 vials of sand to miSci,
the Museum of Innovation and Science, allowing generations to come to discover
her precious specimens and share in her enjoyment what she refers to as
“Earth’s treasures.” A small sample of the collection was recently installed as
part of miSci’s new exhibit, EARTH
EXPOSED: Discover Our Planet’s Hidden Secrets and additional minerals
complement miSci’s existing New York State mineral collection, which is also
currently on display.

“The
rocks and minerals have been a part of my life since I was a little girl. I
can’t remember when I didn’t have them,” Kotlow said of her passion. “I’ve
loved and enjoyed them my whole life, and now I am glad that others will have
the chance to enjoy them, too.”

Finding an unusual rock near her driveway in Albany
ignited Bertha Kotlow’s life-long passion to collect rocks and minerals. That
initial discovery led to her collecting first local quartz, pyrite and fossils,
and later collecting interesting minerals from around the world. In 1994, a gift
of sand led to a new passion: collecting sand from around the world; she
collected more than 600 vials of sand. While all sand consists primarily of
either silica or quartz, there is a great variety in sand, and a specialty
within geology, sedimentology, which focuses on sand.

“We are
honored to be chosen by Bertha Kotlow as the new home for her rock and mineral
collection and the chance to bring this significant resource to the capital
region,” said miSci Vice President of Collections and Exhibitions Chris Hunter.
“We thank Bertha and the Kotlow family for this special collection and the
chance to showcase it alongside our other high-quality, engaging exhibits.”

The miSci rock and mineral collection began in 1935 with
a donation of Schoharie Valley fossils from Dr. Vincent Schaefer and the Mohawk
Valley Hiking Club. The collection expanded over the years to over 2,000
minerals and 3,000 fossils, assembled by a team of volunteer curators,
including Betty Phillips and Bobette Rowley. The collection expanded in 2015
with the donation of the Bertha Kotlow collection, bringing the total
collection size to 8,000 specimens. The collection features hundreds of New
York State minerals, as well as rare minerals from around the world and more
than 300 fluorescent minerals. miSci’s fossils collection has a strong
representation from the Devonian era (400 million years ago), primarily from
Schoharie and Albany counties.

Founded
in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley offering a
multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and serves school children from
northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. miSci
houses the Challenger Learning Center
of the Capital Region, a state-of the-art STEM teaching tool which offers
simulated space missions to school classes, community groups, work teams, scout
troops, birthday celebrations, camp-ins, private parties and team building
events. In
2012, miSci entered into a partnership program with the San Francisco-based
Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based Teaching)
program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich
exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the Exploratorium
resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such as education,
inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest
documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci
offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges; Saturday
Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

#

Sense-Able Science Offered Last Sunday of the Month, Starting June 28

see details +

June 25, 2015Contact: Susan Whitaker382-7890 x 297

Sense-Able Science Offered June 28 at miSciNEW Sensory Friendly Science Center
Experience for those with Autism
and Other Sensory Needs

The Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region,
Schenectady ARC, and miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science, are
partnering to offer Sense-Able Science,
a sensory friendly science center experience for those with autism and other
sensory needs, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. the last Sunday of each month
beginning Sunday, June 28.

Sense-Able Science at miSci is a sensory friendly
experience for families to visit the region’s science center with a loved one
with autism on Sunday, June 28 and on the last Sunday of each month. The museum
will open early at 10:00 a.m.; visitors are welcome to stay longer after the
museum officially opens at 12:00 p.m.

“As the region’s science center, we want to be accessible
to everyone,” said miSci President Dr. Mac Sudduth. “Partnering with the Autism
Society of the Greater Capital Region and Schenectady ARC for Sense-Able
Science allows us to offer a high-quality experience at the science center
tailored specifically for those with autism and other sensory needs.”

“The Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region is
grateful to have the opportunity to bring a sensory accessible program to our
community. miSci is a beloved family destination that will now support the
special needs of families who have a child with autism and allow them to
experience this wonderful venue,” said Janine Kruiswijk, Executive Director of
the Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region.

“Opening new doors and new experiences for families is
one of the best services we can provide to the community. Sense-Able
Science is a wonderful opportunity to engage individuals with Autism
Spectrum Disorders and capture their incredible desire to explore the
sciences,” said Kirk M. Lewis, Executive Director of Schenectady ARC.

Staff at miSci have received training by the Autism
Society, which will enable them to be prepared for this special group of
visitors. Visual support will be available at the museum to help participants
enjoy the exhibits, and social narratives are available on the miSci website to
help families be prepared for their miSci experience. A separate space with
bean bags and quiet activities will be available for anyone needing a sensory
break. Ear plugs will also be available to help with noise stimulation.

Additional support for Sense-Able Science is provided by
Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation and Stewart’s Shops.

miSci is located at 15 Nott Terrace Heights in
Schenectady. Admission to Sense-Able Science at miSci is $6.50 for children (3
– 12), $8 for seniors (65+), and $9.50 for adults. Tickets for Sense-Able
Science can be reserved through the Autism Society by calling (518) 355-2191;
tickets can also be purchased at miSci on Sense-Able Science days. For more
information, please call 518.382.7890 or visit www.miSci.org.

Founded in 1934, miSci
is the only science center in Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for
visitors of all ages and serves school children from northeastern New York,
western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. miSci houses the Challenger
Learning Center of the Capital Region, a state-of the-art STEM teaching tool
which offers simulated space missions to school classes, community groups, work
teams, scout troops, birthday celebrations, camp-ins, private parties and team
building events.In 2012, miSci entered
into a partnership program with the San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for
Exhibit-Based Teaching) program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on,
exploratory-rich exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the
Exploratorium resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such
as education, inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at miSci
houses the only GOTO Star Projector
in the northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include an extensive GE
Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and negatives; an
archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and
more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and technology.
miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest documented
Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on
activities and challenges; Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by
National Grid. For more information, visit www.misci.org.

miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science, will offer a
new planetarium show schedule beginning June 24 with shows every hour, every
day, all summer including Earth’s Wild
Ride, a great companion to the science center’s new exhibit EARTH EXPOSED: Discover Our Planet’s Hidden
Secrets from San Francisco’s Exploratorium. Shows powered by a newly
installed projector providing an immersive experience in the recently renovated
planetarium’s theater-like setting.

miSci is offering the following planetarium show schedule
every day this summer beginning June 24
(please note that shows begin at 1:00 p.m. on Sundays); all shows include a
look at the current night sky and the latest astronomy news.

10:00
a.m. Little Wonders Star ShowDiscover the wonders of the night
sky at an introductory planetarium show designed especially for our youngest
audiences.

11:00
a.m. We Choose SpaceTake a
trip to the International Space Station and help explore our universe! Discover
real adventures for everyone who dreams of space and wonder about human
spaceflight.

3:00
pm: Night of the SwanCelebrate summer and explore Cygnus, the swan, a
constellation visible in the summer night sky at this fun and informative live
exploration of the planets, stars and constellations in the summer night
sky.

4:00
pm: Earth’s Wild Ride

Planetarium shows are powered by a recently installed high
definition, full-dome, computerized projector alongside the planetarium’s
existing GOTO Chronos Star Machine, a state-of-the-art teaching tool, which
allows visitors to see 8,500
stars, close to the actual number of visible stars in the night sky. The GOTO
Chronos can show the sky from any location on Earth and any place in the solar
system; simulate the roll, pitch and yaw that astronauts experience on a space
flight; and show the sky, for any point, 99,999 years in the past or the
future.

The Planetarium at miSci is powered by the new projector and the
GOTO Chronos Star Machine, a state-of-the-art teaching tool, which allows visitors
to see 8,500 stars, close
to the actual number of visible stars in the night sky. The GOTO Chronos can
show the sky from any location on Earth and any place in the solar system;
simulate the roll, pitch and yaw that astronauts experience on a space flight;
and show the sky, for any point, 99,999 years in the past or the future.

An official NASA Space Place since 2005, the Planetarium
at miSci welcomes thousands and thousands of visitors annually. In addition to
offering a full schedule of public planetarium shows, miSci also offers
planetarium specially designed shows for every grade level from
pre-kindergarten through college for visiting school, scout and community
groups. The Planetarium is a popular spot during miSci’s quarterly after hours
special evening events and is also available for private rentals, during which
it has been used as the setting or wedding proposals and anniversary
celebrations.

miSci is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Saturday and
12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sunday and is located at 15 Nott Terrace Heights in
Schenectady. miSci is closed Easter Sunday, April 5. Admission to miSci is
$6.50 for children (3 – 12), $8 for seniors (65+), and $9.50 for adults; add $5
for a Planetarium Show. For more
information, please call 518.382.7890 or visit www.miSci.org.

Founded in 1934, miSci
is the only science center in Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for
visitors of all ages and serves school children from northeastern New York,
western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. miSci houses the Challenger
Learning Center of the Capital Region, a state-of the-art STEM teaching tool
which offers simulated space missions to school classes, community groups, work
teams, scout troops, birthday celebrations, camp-ins, private parties and team
building events. In 2012, miSci entered
into a partnership program with the San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for
Exhibit-Based Teaching) program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on,
exploratory-rich exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the
Exploratorium resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such
as education, inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at miSci
houses the only GOTO Star Projector
in the northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include an extensive GE
Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and negatives; an
archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and
more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and technology.
miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest documented
Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on
activities and challenges; Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by
National Grid. For more information, visit www.misci.org.

A reception
and awards ceremony for Invention Convention 2015 was held May 21 at
miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science, during which 100 student inventors
were celebrated as semi-finalists, and 25 students were announced as finalists.
From a Sun Block Roller to a Suction Cup Dust Pan to a Flea Meds Dog Brush, the inventions were
chosen from 1,174 submissions representing 41 schools around the Capital
Region.

Invention Convention is an annual student invention competition open to
Capital District students from grades K through eight from public, private and
home schools from as far south as New York City and as far north as Glens
Falls. Students were invited to submit a proposal of an original idea for a
device or a method for solving a problem that can occur in the environment, in
technology or industry, in the classroom, home or during leisure time
activities. A volunteer team of GE scientists and patent
lawyers, along with other professionals from the community evaluated the
submissions and chose the top 100 entries and the 25 finalists.

“miSci is
proud to collaborate with area schools, GE and other corporate supporters to
offer Invention Convention. What fascinates me is that students usually seek
solutions to problems that they face in their everyday lives, a sound way for
them to understand real-world applications of STEM (science, technology,
engineering and math),” said miSci President Dr. Mac Sudduth. “As the region’s
science center, miSci welcomes Invention Convention is an important annual
initiative.”

Guest speaker at this year’s ceremony was GE Global Research optical engineer Mark Cheverton, who
will deliver a talk on How I Mine My Mind
to Create Something New. After teaching high school math and physics 15
years, Cheverton came to GE, conducting research in machine vision, holography,
system integration, and process monitoring for 3D printing of metals and
plastics

A GE scientist or engineer is annually selected to be the Invention Convention
keynote speaker as one of the many ways the company collaborates with miSci on
this initiative. Since its inception in 1997, GE has supported Invention
Convention with $90,000 in funding and more than 700 volunteers who serve as
judges, school visitors and core planning team members.

“GE has been
proud to sponsor Invention Convention since its inception. We know that when
children are encouraged to engage in science and technology from an early age,
that sets the stage for a bright future, whether in science or a related STEM
field,” said Mark Little, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of
GE. “That’s the foundation that Invention Convention provides for our
up-and-coming scientists.”

Free
Admission to Active Duty Military Personnel and Their Families Memorial
Day to Labor Day

The
Museum of Innovation and Science, miSci, announced the launch of Blue Star
Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star
Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America
to offer free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel
including National Guard and Reserve and their families from Memorial Day
through Labor Day 2015. Leadership support has been provided by MetLife
Foundation through Blue Star Families. The program also provides families an
opportunity to enjoy the nation's cultural heritage and learn more about their
new communities after a military move. The complete list of participating
museums is available at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

“miSci is pleased to
participate in the Blue Star Museums program again this summer. We’re proud to
provide this well-deserved recognition for our country’s service members. ”
said miSci President Mac Sudduth.

Parents
of young children tell us that they go together to museums to learn new things
and have family time together,” said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. “Blue Star Museums
helps them do both, by helping military families learn about the cultural
resources in their communities, and offering a fun, high-quality experience
that’s budget friendly as well as family friendly. We’re proud to help connect
museums to military communities nationwide.”

“Blue Star Museums has grown into a nationally recognized
program that service members and their families look forward to each year,”
said Blue Star Families Chief Executive Officer Kathy Roth-Douquet. “It helps
bring our local military and civilian communities together, and offers families
fun and enriching activities in their home towns. We are thrilled with the
continued growth of the program and the unparalleled opportunities it offers.”

This year, more than 2,000 (and counting) museums in all 50
states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa are taking
part in the initiative. Museums are welcome to join Blue Star Museums
throughout the summer. The effort to recruit museums has involved partnerships
with the American Alliance of Museums, the Association of Art Museum Directors,
the Association of Children’s Museums, the American Association of State and
Local History, and the Association of Science-Technology Centers. This year’s
Blue Star Museums represent not just fine arts museums, but also science
museums, history museums, nature centers, and dozens of children’s museums.
Among this year’s new participants are the Museum of Contemporary Art in
Jacksonville, Florida, the Duluth Children’s Museum in Minnesota, The Space
Station Museum in Novato, California, and The Lyon Arboretum at the University
of Hawai'i at Mānoa.

About
Blue Star Museums

Blue
Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue
Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across
America. The program runs from Memorial Day, May 25, 2015 through Labor Day,
September 7, 2015.

The free admission program is available to any bearer
of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card
(dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active duty U.S.
military - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of
the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps,
NOAA Commissioned Corps - and up to five family members. Some special or
limited-time museum exhibits may not be included in this free admission
program. For questions on particular exhibits or museums, please contact the
museum directly. To find participating museums and plan your trip, visit
arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

All summer long, Blue Star Museums will share stories through
social media. Follow Blue Star Museums on Twitter @NEAarts and @BlueStarFamily,
#bluestarmuseums, on Facebook, and read the NEA Art Works blog for weekly
stories on participating museums and exhibits.

Museums that wish to participate in Blue Star Museums may
contact bluestarmuseums@arts.gov, or Wendy Clark at 202-682-5451.

This
is the latest NEA program to bring quality arts programs to the military,
veterans, and their families. Other NEA programs for the military have included
the NEA/Walter Reed Healing Arts Partnership; Great American Voices Military
Base Tour; and Shakespeare in American Communities Military Base Tour.

About
miSci

Founded
in 1934, miSci is the only science
center in Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for visitors of all ages
and serves school children from northeastern New York, western Massachusetts,
and southern Vermont. miSci houses the Challenger Learning Center of the
Capital Region, a state-of the-art STEM teaching tool which offers simulated
space missions to school classes, community groups, work teams, scout troops,
birthday celebrations, camp-ins, private parties and team building events. In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership program
with the San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based Teaching) program,
miSci receives a different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich exhibits each
year for five years, as well as access to the Exploratorium resources to
advance each partner’s work in specific areas such as education, inquiry,
science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the northeast
and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more
than 1.6 million prints and negatives; an archival collection with more than
3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating
to the history of science and technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878
Edison tinfoil, the second oldest documented Edison tinfoil recording, the
oldest playable American voice. miSci offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid. For more
information, visit www.misci.org.

About Blue Star
Families

Blue Star Families (BSF) is a national, nonprofit network by
and for military families from all ranks and services, including active duty,
National Guard and reserves. As the largest and fastest growing military family
engagement organization in the country, Blue Star Families forges extraordinary
partnerships resulting in 1.5 million military family members served annually
through programs and resources with 50 chapters at home and overseas. BSF has
also activated more than 26 million hours of community service to build leaders
within and strengthen the military community, and connected Americans with
their military. To learn more about Blue Star Families' opportunities for
service members, military families, and civilians, visit www.bluestarfam.org.

About
the National Endowment for the Arts

The
National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an
independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more
than $5 billion to strengthen the creative capacity of our communities by
providing all Americans with diverse opportunities for arts participation. The
NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local
leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector. To join the
discussion on how art works, visit the NEA at arts.gov.

The region’s science center is expanding its offerings again – adding
missions to space – as miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science, opens the
Challenger Learning Center, a hands-on science, technology, engineering and
math (STEM) experience, in a completely renovated wing of the science center.

“We
are excited to see the opening of the Challenger Learning Center at miSci.miSci continues to grow as a powerful and
unique educational resource for Schenectady,” said Mayor Gary McCarthy. “This
attraction joins the many great Schenectady destinations such as Proctors,
Schenectady Light Opera Company, and more, that draw visitors from throughout
the Capital Region and beyond.”

The presence of the Challenger
Learning Center at miSci, the region’s award-winning STEM resource, will draw
more visitors from throughout the region, eastern Massachusetts, southern
Vermont, and areas north to the Canadian border and is another sign of
Schenectady’s revitalization.

“For several years, Schenectady
leaders and local supporters worked tirelessly to open the doors of this local
Challenger Learning Center. This type of passion and determination are
characteristics of a community committed to education and the success of its
students,” said Dr. Lance Bush, president and CEO, Challenger Center. “We are
thrilled to welcome the Challenger Learning Center at miSci to our network of
global Challenger Learning Centers.”

Based on NASA astronaut training, the
Challenger Learning Center of the Capital Region at miSci allows participants
to be part of a crew of engineers and scientists in simulated space missions in an innovative learning environment. Students
become part of a team performing the mission – essential tasks that astronauts,
scientists, and engineers execute for mission success. They work onboard the
spacecraft to conduct critical experiments and activities and in mission
control to monitor and guide the spacecraft
crew.

“The Museum
of Innovation and Science in Schenectady has been an invaluable institution in
our community for more than 80 years and the new Challenger Learning Center is
an exciting addition. This will be a unique learning experience that ensures
the museum continues to be a regional destination for hands-on learning that is
both interesting and fun for children,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara.
“With my background in engineering, I am a proud advocate for the STEM
principles promoted by the Challenger Learning Center, and I remain committed
to my strong partnership with miSci as they continue to enrich the lives of
families and children across the region.”

Missions rely on active teamwork, critical thinking,
and inquiry-based problem solving. In addition to being a refreshing departure
from classroom lessons, missions are Standards, Next Generation Science
Standards (NGSS) and Common Core aligned.

“Capital
Region BOCES is pleased to be a partner in the Challenger Learning Center at
miSci.We see the CLC as a tremendous
opportunity to bring STEM education to children of all ages in a highly
engaging, project-based learning format. The more we can expose the students to
STEM at an early age, the more opportunity they will have to follow an education
path toward more STEM classes and hopefully a STEM career,” said Charles S.
Dedrick, Ed. D., CEO and district superintendent, Capital Region BOCES.

The
first school missions begin May 18 with a class of sixth grade students from
Lincoln Elementary School in Schenectady.Before the end of the school year, sixth grade students from all schools
in the Schenectady City School District will visit miSci for a Challenger
Learning Center mission, a planetarium show, and more STEM-related activities with
a chance to explore all of the science center’s interactive exhibits. Funding
for the district’s sixth grade student Challenger Learning Center missions has
been provided in part by a $125,000 grant from The Schenectady Foundation.

“We
are pleased and excited about the launch of the Challenger Learning Center,
especially since it is right here in our backyard.This presents a great opportunity for our
students as it provides additional exposure to science, technology, engineering
and math and provides unique opportunities for teaching and learning.We are extremely grateful that Schenectady
students have the opportunity to participate in this exciting program,” said Larry
Spring, superintendent of the Schenectady City School District.

Opening the Challenger Learning Center is the
most recent move for the region’s dynamic science center. This initiative
follows a recent planetarium renovation involving new seats and carpeting and a
new projector that provides a more immersive experience and precedes the installation
next month of “Earth Exposed: Discover Our Planet’s Hidden Secrets” from San
Francisco’s Exploratorium.

The
new Challenger Learning Center occupies 2,500 square feet and is comprised of four
distinct areas: a briefing room, mission control, a transporter, and a space
station. The Challenger Learning Center board established a connection with
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s School of Architecture Associate Dean Mark
Mistur to design the project; community philanthropist and miSci benefactor
Neil Golub established a partnership between miSci and Rensselaer School of
Architecture. Construction, which started in December 2014, was completed by
Duncan and Cahill, Inc. of Troy.

“As the region’s preeminent science center, miSci is proud to add the
Challenger LearningCenter of the Capital Region and simulated space missions to our existing high
quality STEM programming,” said miSci President Dr. Mac Sudduth. “We follow in
the footsteps of the brave astronauts of the Challenger as we work every day to
inspire Capital Region students and get them to dream of bigger things for
themselves and the world around us.The
community leaders who brought the CLC to fruition – especially the Golub and Apkarian
families – should be applauded for leading the way to bring the CLC to miSci
and for helping many future generations have these opportunities.”

The Challenger Learning Center was completed under
the direction of Sudduth, through the dedication of the Challenger Learning
Center of the Greater Capital Region Board of Directors and miSci Board of
Trustees, and through the leadership and generosity Golub, executive chairman
of the board, Price Chopper Supermarkets.

“Jane and I
are delighted to see the Challenger Learning Center come to fruition at
miSci.It has been a long time coming
but we have made Schenectady a center for STEM education for students
throughout Upstate New York and beyond.miSci and CLC are another cornerstone piece in the revitalization of
Schenectady and we’re proud to have played a part in this really neat
achievement,” said Golub.

Major funders for the Challenger Learning Center
include Neil and Jane Golub, The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital
Region, Betty and David Apkarian and Friends, The Schenectady Foundation, George
Hearst and the Times Union, Fenimore Asset Management, and the Wright Family
Foundation.

“Congratulations to Neil Golub and the team at miSci
on the opening of the Challenger Learning Center. This will be a great new
attraction in downtown Schenectady,” said Ray Gillen, chair of the Schenectady
County Metroplex Development Authority.

“The Apkarian family, in honor of Harry Apkarian, is
pleased to support the Challenger Learning Center,” said David and Betty and
Apkarian.“This center will be a vital
part of educating our youth for the future.Harry was very passionate about technology, education and
Schenectady.This center is an important
representation of Harry’s passions and we are honored to be part of it.”

Additional support was provided by the New York
State Senate through the efforts of Senator Hugh T. Farley and through a
consolidated funding application grant from the State of New York.

Farley said, “I was pleased to be an early supporter
of the effort to bring a Challenger Learning Center to Schenectady, and was
able to obtain two state grants to help secure the necessary charter and
undertake the necessary plans and studies.The Challenger Learning Center will offer a valuable and exciting
learning experience for children.It
will be a tremendous asset to Schenectady and the Capital Region, and it will
also supplement and enhance the Museum of Innovation and Science, which is a
treasured institution in the region.”

Missions at miSci are available for pre-kindergarten
to college age students. Additionally, missions are also available for
community groups, work teams, scout troops, birthday celebrations, or as part
of a camp-in or other private party or team-building event. To book a mission,
call (518) 382-7890, ext. 237.

About miSci

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley offering a
multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and serves school children from
northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont.

In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership
program with the San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based Teaching) program,
miSci receives a different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich exhibits each
year for five years, as well as access to the Exploratorium resources to
advance each partner’s work in specific areas such as education, inquiry,
science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the northeast
and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more
than 1.6 million prints and negatives; an archival collection with more than
3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating
to the history of science and technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison
tinfoil, the second oldest documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest
playable American voice. miSci offers Science
Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges; Saturday Science
Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid. For more information, visit www.misci.org

As a
leader in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education,
Challenger Center and its international network of Challenger Learning Centers
use space simulations to engage students in dynamic, hands-on opportunities.
These experiences strengthen knowledge in STEM subjects and inspire students to
pursue careers in these important fields. Centers reach hundreds of thousands
of students and tens of thousands of teachers each year. Founded in 1986,
Challenger Center was created to honor the crew of shuttle flight STS-51-L:
Dick Scobee, Gregory Jarvis, Christa McAuliffe, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka,
Judith Resnik, and Michael J. Smith. Learn more about Challenger Center at www.challenger.org and
connect with us on facebook.com/challengerctr, twitter.com/challengerctr and
youtube.com/ccsse.

miSci Kicks Off Earth Day 2015 Week with Unveiling of ChargePoint Electric Vehicle Charging Station

miSci
Kicks Off Earth Day 2015 Week with Unveiling of ChargePoint Electric Car
Charging Station

miSci, the
Museum of Innovation and Science, kicks off Earth Day 2015 Week with the
official unveiling of a ChargePoint electric vehicle charging station at the
museum in downtown Schenectady. Part of
ChargePoint’s initiative to provide an infrastructure of electric
vehicle charging stations throughout New York State, many of which will be in
the National Grid service area, the station provides a benefit for miSci
visitors and is also an extension of the science and technology on exhibit in
the region’s science center.

National Grid
officials and Assembymember Angelo Santabarbara joined miSci officials April 20
to officially unveil the new charging station, which is located at the parking
lot entrance at the science center on Nott Terrace Heights in Schenectady. Charging
is free and can be activated using a ChargePoint card or mobile app. Several
types of electric cars have already charged at the station, including the
plug-in Toyota Prius, Chevy Volt, and Smart ED.

“miSci is
grateful to National Grid for providing the new electric car charging station to
serve the increasing number of visitors and employees who drive electric or
hybrid cars,” miSci President Dr. Mac Sudduth said. “In addition to providing a
benefit for our visitors, the charging exemplifies the science and technology
on exhibit in the region’s science center.”

The station
is a real-life application of Fueling the Future, miSci’s alternative
energy exhibit that includes the 1978 GE-100 electric car, an 1971 Electrak
electric tractor, and a charging station dating from 1910, when there were
nearly as many electric cars as gas cars on the road.

Assemblyman
Angelo Santabarbara is pleased with the installation of the new charging
station at miSci.

“Since
my time with the County Legislature, I have continued to support commonsense
initiatives that will help us save energy, money and the environment. miSci has
always promoted a brighter tomorrow and I’m proud to be a part of their effort
to expand access to 21st century energy resources," said Assemblyman
Angelo Santabarbara, who is a member of the Assembly Committee on Energy.

Bill
Flaherty, regional executive of National Grid’s Eastern New York division, is
also pleased with upstate New York’s most recent station additions. “Plug-in electric vehicles are more than just
a new way to get around,” he explains. “They’re a major part of a cleaner, more
efficient transportation future. At National Grid, we’re committed to making
this new technology more viable and cost-effective for ourselves and our
customers, and pleased to help make it happen across New York State in
collaboration with our partners.”

About miSci

Founded
in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley offering a
multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and serves school children from
northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. In 2012,
miSci entered into a partnership program with the San Francisco-based
Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based Teaching)
program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich
exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the Exploratorium
resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such as education,
inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest
documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci
offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

About National Grid

National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE:NGG) is an electricity and gas
company that connects consumers to energy sources through its networks. The
company is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society -
to create new, sustainable energy solutions for the future and developing an
energy system that underpins economic prosperity in the 21st century. National
Grid holds a vital position at the center of the energy system and it ‘joins
everything up’.

In the northeast US, we connect more than seven million gas and
electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern
lifestyles. In Great Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our
society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country.

National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million
customers in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. It manages the
electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island
Power Authority (LIPA), and owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity
generation, providing power to over one million LIPA customers. It is the
largest distributor of natural gas in northeastern U.S., serving approximately
3.4 million customers in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

Recognized as
the worldwide leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure,
ChargePoint is the largest online network of independently-owned EV charging
stations in the world – operating in more than a dozen countries with more
than 12,000 charging locations. Every 15 seconds someone connects their
vehicle to a ChargePoint station.

ChargePoint’s
best-in-class hardware – as well as hardware from other
manufacturers – is connected to ChargePoint's cloud–based software.
This innovative platform provides charging station owners with the control and
data they need and want to optimize their charging operations, including
billing, access control, and remote driver support. Station owners can monitor
and track charging station usage and costs, create pricing structures for
charging services, and reward driver loyalty.

ChargePoint
provides a free mobile application with real-time data that allows drivers to
locate and navigate to unoccupied charging stations. Drivers can also track
their charging status and usage, as well as their greenhouse gas and fuel
savings. Over 60 percent of all publicly-accessible
networked EV charging stations are ChargePoint stations or run on the
ChargePoint network, and nearly 40 percent of all EV
drivers are ChargePoint members. By initiating 2.5 million charging sessions,
ChargePoint consumers have saved three million gallons of gasoline
and avoided 46 million pounds of CO2 emissions. For more information about ChargePoint, visit www.chargepoint.com.

miSci
to Bring New Summer Chemistry Program to Region as One of
Only 12 New Sites in the Nation: $15,000 Award for GSK
Science in the Summer™Chemistry Programs at
Boys & Girls Clubs, Girls Incorporated, Jewish Community Center &
Schenectady County Libraries

The
Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci) has been selected as one of only 12
new sites in the nation to host GSK Science in the Summer™ and has been awarded $15,000 to host
summer chemistry programs throughout the capital region at Boys and Girls
Clubs, Girls Incorporated, the Schenectady Jewish Community center, and the
Schenectady County Public Library branches with specially trained miSci
educators delivering hands-on chemistry curriculum.

“We are honored to be chosen as one of only 12 new sites in the nation to host GSK Science in the Summer™ and bring
this new program to the capital region,” said miSci President Dr. Mac Sudduth. “We
thank GSK and AAAS for the opportunity to provide high-quality, engaging STEM
programs for area youth.”

The
national program, which is sponsored by GSK, administered by the American
Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and hosted by leading
museums/science centers across the country, will teach elementary students the
wonders of chemistry through fun, free, hands-on classes. The classes are open
to students entering second through sixth grade, separated into two levels
based on age group. GSK Science in the Summer™ encourages elementary students
to get involved in STEM learning, while mitigating the effects of summer
learning loss.

GSK
Science in the Summerseeks to combine the positive effects of STEM
learning, hands-on activities and summer academic engagement through
stimulating coursework and exciting activities. In the GSK Science in the
Summer chemistry curriculum, students learn the basics of chemistry through
hands-on experiments. Young scientists will learn what matter is and that it is not always the same. They will
observe physical and chemical changes with fun experiments like turning pennies
golden, making crystals, and watching popcorn “dance.” Students also will
decide if substances are acids, bases, or neutrals by using litmus and pH
papers and a universal indicator.

Launched
in Philadelphia 30 years ago and successfully operating in a handful of East
Coast locations, GSK Science in the Summer™ is going national by expanding to 12
additional locations this summer, including miSci: Sci-Quest Hands-on Science
Center in Huntsville, Alabama; Museum of Discovery & Science in Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida; Science Central in Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Sci-Port Discovery
Center in Shreveport, Louisiana; Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul,
Minnesota; Kansas City’s Science Center, Science City at Union Station in
Kansas City, Missouri; SCIWORKS, The Science Center and Environmental Park of
Forsyth County in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Cleveland Museum of Natural
History in Cleveland, Ohio; Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland,
Oregon; North Museum of Nature & Science in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and Adventure
Science Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

AAAS is an international non-profit organization
dedicated to advancing science, technology, and engineering for the benefit of
all people. For further information, please visit www.aaas.org/.

Founded
in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley offering a
multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and serves school children from
northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. In 2012,
miSci entered into a partnership program with the San Francisco-based
Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based Teaching)
program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich
exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the Exploratorium
resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such as education,
inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest
documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci
offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science, will offer
visitors a chance to explore science during the upcoming School Break: Friday,
April 3 and Saturday, April 4 and Monday, April 6 through Sunday, April 12 with
Butterflies, an indoor butterfly house,
new shows in the renovated planetarium: Two Small Pieces of Glass, The Mars Show, and Night of the Lion, and NanoDays
programming on April 3 & 4.Visitors
will also enjoy Making Sense of Sound,
hands-on fun from San Francisco’s Exploratorium; MRI: Examining the Human Body;
Fueling the Future; and more. miSci is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Friday &
Saturday, closed Easter Sunday, April 5, and open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to
Saturday and 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sunday, April 12.

Visitors can explore spring with brilliantly colored
native butterflies at Butterflies,
miSci’s new indoor butterfly house.
See Monarchs, Black Swallowtails, Painted Ladies, Tiger Swallowtails and
Spicebush Swallowtails flying about (and possibly landing on you!) as miSci
re-creates their habitat – the edge of an open field with flowers and trees. Be
sure to stop at the chrysalis chamber
to see the butterflies as they emerge. Learn about the exciting life cycles of
the butterflies, and learn about how to create butterfly-friendly environments
outside your own home.

Visitors
will also enjoy Making Sense of Sound,
an interactive exhibit of hands-on fun from San Francisco’s Exploratorium. Play
and experiment, make some noise, and listen. Explore hearing, human speech and
communication. With more than 30 interactive exhibits, experience – as never
before – the nature of sound, the
ways we perceive it, and how we listen. Making Sense of Sound at miSci is presented through the generosity
of Neil and Jane Golub and National Grid.

In addition to Butterflies
and Making Sense of Sound, miSci is
offering Planetarium Shows each day during break week (please note Planetarium Shows start at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday):

10:00
am Young Audience Planetarium ShowExplore the sights and sounds of
the night sky with an introductory program created especially for young
audiences. Best for ages 3-7.

11:00
am Two Small Pieces of GlassExplore the history of the
telescope from Galileo's use of two small pieces of glass to the launch of
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the future of astronomy. Experience the
wonder and discovery made by astronomers throughout the last 400 years. While looking
through the astronomer's telescope, explore the Galilean Moons, Saturn's rings,
and spiral structure of galaxies, and learn about the discoveries of Galileo,
Huygens, Newton, Hubble, and many others.

12:00
pm: The Mars ShowDiscover the Red Planet in myth, history and
modern exploration. See Mars as we know
it today and take a close look at its planetary features. Narrated by Patrick Stewart of Star Trek.

1:00
pm: Young Audience Planetarium Show

2:00
pm: Two Small Pieces of Glass

3:00
pm: Night of the Lion Celebrate the start of spring and explore Leo,
the lion, a constellation visible in the spring night sky, in this fun and
informative live exploration of the planets, stars and constellations in the
spring night sky. This show will run at 3pm weekends and school holidays
throughout the spring.

4:00
pm: The Mars Show

miSci recently installed a new high definition, full-dome, computerized
projector in the Suits-Bueche Planetarium, which provides a much more immersive
experience. Shows at the Suits-Bueche Planetarium are also powered by the GOTO
Chronos Star Projector, a state-of-the-art star machine that lets visitors see
8,500 stars on the Planetarium dome, close to the actual number of visible
stars in the night sky. And, all Shows at the miSci’s Suits-Bueche Planetarium
include a look at the current night sky and the latest astronomy news.

Visitors can celebrate NanoDays,
part of a national week of nanoscale science and engineering, at miSci from
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm Friday and Saturday, April 3 and 4. Explore nanotechnology,
an area of science so small you can’t see it! Discover the technology of
building things at the atomic level with educator-led demos and hands-on
activities. There will also be Science
Discovery Demos 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. and hands-on challenges and activities
in the Science Zone 1:00 to 2:30
p.m. Saturdays and Sunday.

Admission to Butterflies,
NanoDays, Making Sense of Sound, demos and science activities are free with museum
admission; add $5 for a Planetarium Show. miSci is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Monday to Saturday and 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sunday and is closed Easter Sunday,
April 5. miSci is located at 15 Nott Terrace Heights in Schenectady.For more information, please call
518.382.7890 or visit www.miSci.org.

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center
in Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and
serves school children from northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and
southern Vermont. In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership program with the
San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for
Exhibit-Based Teaching) program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on,
exploratory-rich exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the
Exploratorium resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such
as education, inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest
documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci
offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

Two Small Pieces of Glass Planetarium Show
Opens April 1NEW High Definition, Full Dome, Immersive
Show in Renovated Planetarium

Two Small Pieces of Glass, a new planetarium show about the history of the telescope and how
it has impacted astronomy, opens at 2:00 p.m. April 1 at miSci, the Museum of
Innovation and Science. Powered by the recently
installed high definition, full-dome, computerized projector in the
Suits-Bueche Planetarium, this show will take visitors on a space exploration
adventure and immersive experience in the newly renovated planetarium. Two Small Pieces of Glass will be shown
at 2:00 p.m. daily and 11:00 a.m. Saturdays; it will be shown at 11:00 a.m. and
2:00 p.m. during April Break Friday, April 3 and Monday through Friday, April 6
– 10.

A show for all ages, Two
Small Pieces of Glass lets you explore the history of the telescope from
Galileo's use of two small pieces of glass to the launch of NASA's Hubble Space
Telescope and the future of astronomy. Experience the wonder and discovery made
by astronomers throughout the last 400 years. While looking through the
astronomer's telescope, explore the Galilean Moons, Saturn's rings, and spiral
structure of galaxies, and learn about the discoveries of Galileo, Huygens,
Newton, Hubble, and many others.

The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at miSci is powered by the new
projector and the GOTO Chronos Star Machine, a state-of-the-art teaching tool,
which allows visitors to see 8,500
stars, close to the actual number of visible stars in the night sky. The GOTO
Chronos can show the sky from any location on Earth and any place in the solar
system; simulate the roll, pitch and yaw that astronauts experience on a space
flight; and show the sky, for any point, 99,999 years in the past or the
future.

An official NASA Space Place since 2005, the Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci welcomes thousands and thousands of visitors annually. In
addition to offering a full schedule of public planetarium shows, miSci also
offers planetarium specially designed shows for every grade level from
pre-kindergarten through college for visiting school, scout and community
groups. The Suits-Bueche Planetarium is a popular spot during miSci’s quarterly
after hours special evening events and is also available for private rentals,
during which it has been used as the setting or wedding proposals and
anniversary celebrations.

miSci is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Saturday and
12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sunday and is located at 15 Nott Terrace Heights in
Schenectady. miSci is closed Easter Sunday, April 5. Admission to miSci is
$6.50 for children (3 – 12), $8 for seniors (65+), and $9.50 for adults; add $5
for a Planetarium Show.For more
information, please call 518.382.7890 or visit www.miSci.org.

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center
in Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and
serves school children from northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and
southern Vermont. In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership program with the
San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for
Exhibit-Based Teaching) program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on,
exploratory-rich exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the
Exploratorium resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such
as education, inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest
documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci
offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

miSci
Receives$2,180 CDLC Grant for Conservation of 2,000 Science and Technology
Books in the miSci Archives

The Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci) has received
a $2,180 Capital District Library Council (CDLC) grant to assist with conservation
of approximately 2,000 science and technology books in the miSci Archives. This
CDLC grant follows a $2,500 CDLC grant in 2014 which assisted with the
cataloging and digitization of historic photographs, films, print materials and
artifacts, and making them available to the public online through the New York
Heritage.

In addition
to housing more than 3,500 cubic feet of archival materials and more than
15,000 objects relating to the history of science and technology, miSci’s
Archives includes one of the premier collections on the history of technology
and its impact on society. With over 1.6 million images that date from the
1850s to the present, the collection’s strengths are many and include
photography and film, radio and television film and images, and materials
relating to marketing of consumer products as well as medical, power generation
and the turbine. Collections from General Electric and the American Locomotive
Company (ALCO) give a vivid picture of those companies’ international impact.
Audio recordings in the collection include rare radio recordings, Edison wax
cylinders, and the Edison tinfoil recording from 1878.

The Capital
District Library Council is a regional multi-type library organization serving
New York academic, public, school and special libraries and library systems in
Albany, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady,
Schoharie, Warren, and Washington Counties.

About miSciFounded in 1934, miSci is the only science center
in Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and
serves school children from northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and
southern Vermont. In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership program with the
San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for
Exhibit-Based Teaching) program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on,
exploratory-rich exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the
Exploratorium resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such
as education, inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest
documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci
offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

miSci, the Museum of Innovation
and Science, has received four 3D Systems (3DS) Cube 3D printers valued at
approximately $1,300 each for a new Maker Garage and 3D printing science
classes for kids. miSci joins over 100 libraries and museums around the country
providing 3D printing hardware, activities and programs to their communities
through the MakerLab Club community.

An initiative of 3D Systems, The American Library
Association/Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), and the Association
of Science and Tech Centers (ASTC), the MakerLab Club is a community of U.S.
libraries and museums, committed to democratize making and advance 3D digital
literacy. MakerLab Club member libraries and museums received 3D printers
courtesy of 3D Systems.

miSci will install the four new 3D printers along with
its existing MakerBot printer in a new space on the main gallery floor called
the Maker Garage. This new space will be the setting for an April Break Science
Workshop on 3D Printing for children in third through sixth grades on from 9
a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, April 6. miSci is also offering Exploring 3D
Printing, a full-day, week-long class for students entering sixth through
twelfth grades from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, July 20 through Friday, July
24. Initially, miSci’s Maker Garage will be used for classes and public
programming.

“We thank 3D Systems for sponsoring the MarkerLab Club across
the country and for donating the four 3D printers to miSci,” said miSci
President Mac Sudduth. “As the region’s science center, we welcome the chance
to house the printers alongside our other 3D printer in the new Maker Garage
and to use them in our break week and summer classes and public programming.”

The MakerLab Club reflects 3DS’ mission to empower
students and institutions via 21st century manufacturing resources
and responds to President Obama’s call to action to dramatically expand the
number of students that have the opportunity to become makers, and support initiatives
to establish maker spaces in public facilities, including in libraries and
museums.

“The MakerLab Club aims to support libraries and museums
in a number of ways by providing them access to hardware, access to ongoing
print materials through exclusive cartridge subscription models, and most
importantly connection to each other through best practices and communities.”
said Leanne Gluck, Director of Social Impact, 3DS. “The MakerLab Club wills
provide an integrated ecosystem of support to libraries and museums who want to
establish or expand MakerSpaces and 3D printing offerings at their facilities.”

“3DS is proud to sponsor the MakerLab Club, giving
critical equipment, training, and support to libraries and museums across our
country," said Neal Orringer, VP of Partnerships and Alliances, 3D
Systems. "Today, libraries and museums are democratizing making in their
local communities and reinforcing their position as key centers of the arts,
education, and culture.”

3D Systems is a leading provider of 3D printing centric
design-to-manufacturing solutions including 3D printers, print materials and
cloud sourced on-demand custom parts for professionals and consumers alike in
materials including plastics, metals, ceramics and edibles. The company also
provides integrated 3D scan-based design, freeform modeling and inspection
tools and an integrated 3D planning and printing digital thread for
personalized surgery and patient specific medical devices. Its products and services
replace and complement traditional methods and reduce the time and cost of
designing new products by printing real parts directly from digital input.
These solutions are used to rapidly design, create, communicate, prototype or
produce functional parts and assemblies, empowering customers to manufacture the future. Learn more
about 3DSystems commitment to education at www.3dsystems.com/education

About miSci

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center
in Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and
serves school children from northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and
southern Vermont. In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership program with the
San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based
Teaching) program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on,
exploratory-rich exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the
Exploratorium resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such
as education, inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest documented
Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci offers Science
Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges; Saturday Science Zone
activities are sponsored by National Grid.

miSci
, the Museum of Innovation and Science, has been awarded a grant of $5,000 from
the J. M. McDonald Foundation to support the participation oflow income students from throughout upstate
New York in miSci’s educational programs, through reduced or waived tuition
fees for school break or summer classes.

miSci,
is offering hands-on Science Workshops
for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade during April school break, Friday, April 3 and Monday, April 6 through
Friday, April 10 2015. A morning (9:00 am – 12:00 pm) and an afternoon workshop
(12:30 to 3:30 pm) are offered each day. Kids can choose morning or afternoon
-- or both and stay all day. Before and after care are also available each day.

Each
workshop focuses on a different topic, including reptiles, 3D printing, DNA,
architecture, dinosaurs and more. Tumultuous Earth lets kids explore
tornadoes, volcanoes and earthquakes. In Butterflies, kids will investigate
camouflage, eye spots and more while visiting a living lab in miSci’s indoor
butterfly house, and in Bubbleology, kids will discover
light, rainbows and color.

The Summer Hands-on
Science Classes and Space Academy Classes have been developed by miSci’s
education team to combine fun and learning. The classes focus on a different
theme each week. Classes are offered each week beginning the week of July 6 and
concluding the week of August 24. Classes run 8:30am to 5pm Monday through
Friday.

Please visit www.miSci.org or call 518-382-7890 x 237 for
additional information or to register for a class.

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center
in Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and
serves school children from northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and
southern Vermont. In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership program with the
San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for
Exhibit-Based Teaching) program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on,
exploratory-rich exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the
Exploratorium resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such
as education, inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest
documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci
offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science, is offering Summer Hands-on Science Classes, week-long, full-day, hands-on fun
for children entering kindergarten through twelfth grade with multiple classes
each week beginning the week of July 6 and running through the week of August
24, 2015.

Each class
focuses on a different topic, including forensics, 3D printing, robotics,
rockets, dinosaurs and more. Space Academy: International Space Station
lets kids entering sixth through twelfth grade train like an astronaut –
including underwater microgravity simulation. Space Academy Classes are
presented by Time Warner Cable. In Rocketeers, kids will build and
launch their own rockets using chemical reactions, air pressure, water power
and solid fuel, and in CSI: Crime Lab Chemistry, kids will
investigate and solve crime scene mysteries.

“miSci is a
must-see attraction in the Capital Region, with something for everyone, and our
Summer Science Classes, including our new Space Academy Classes presented by
Time Warner Cable, are just another reason for families with school age
children to visit this summer,” said miSci President Dr. Mac Sudduth.

Classes run
Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended care options
available. Families can send their children for one week or multiple weeks. The
cost of one week of summer classes is $220; the cost of one week of Space
Academy Classes presented by Time Warner Cable is $250. There is a 10 percent
discount for miSci members and for a second child registered from the same
family. Before and after care is available at $10 per hour. To register or for
more information, please call 518.382.7890 x 237 or visit www.miSci.org.

Founded
in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley offering a
multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and serves school children from
northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. In 2012,
miSci entered into a partnership program with the San Francisco-based
Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based Teaching)
program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich
exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the Exploratorium
resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such as education,
inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest documented
Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci offers Science
Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges; Saturday Science Zone
activities are sponsored by National Grid.

miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science, is offering hands-on Science Workshops for kids in
kindergarten through sixth grade during April school break, Friday, April 3 and
Monday, April 6 through Friday, April 10 2015. A morning (9:00 am – 12:00 pm)
and an afternoon workshop (12:30 to 3:30 pm) are offered each day. Kids can
choose morning or afternoon -- or both and stay all day. Before and after care
are also available each day.

Each workshop
focuses on a different topic, including reptiles, 3D printing, DNA,
architecture, dinosaurs and more. Tumultuous Earth lets kids explore tornadoes,
volcanoes and earthquakes. In Butterflies, kids will investigate
camouflage, eye spots and more while visiting a living lab in miSci’s indoor
butterfly house, and in Bubbleology, kids will discover
light, rainbows and color.

“miSci is a must-see
attraction in the Capital Region, with something for everyone, and our April
Break Kids’ Science Workshops are an exciting addition to our existing school
year programs and changing exhibits,” said miSci’s President Mac Sudduth.

The cost of
each workshop is $20. There is a 10 percent discount for miSci members and for
a second child registered from the same family. Before and after care is available
at $10 per hour. Registration and prepayment are required. To register or for
more information, please call 518.382.7890 x 237 or visit www.miSci.org.

Class Schedule for Grades K – 2:

Friday, April 39am - 12pm Light & Color Investigate the wacky world of brilliant colors! 12:30 - 3:30pm Reptiles! Discover what it means to be an ectotherm.

miSci is located at 15 Nott Terrace Heights in downtown Schenectady. For more information, please visit www.miSci.org or call 518-382-7890.

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and serves school children from northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership program with the San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based Teaching) program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the Exploratorium resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such as education, inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges; Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

#

Escape Winter\'s Chill with Butterflies at miSci: February 14 - April 19

Escape Winter’s Chill with Butterflies at miSci!New Exhibit Opens February 14, First Day of
School Break Escape this winter’s
snow and cold with a breath of spring! Butterflies, an exhibit of hundreds of native
butterflies fluttering about in an indoor
butterfly house, opens Saturday, February 14 at miSci, the Museum of
Innovation and Science. Opening Day activities include new shows in the newly
renovated planetarium, optical illusion demos, and anatomy challenges in the
Science Zone.

“People have been asking us all year to bring back the
wildly popular Butterflies back to
miSci. Visitors see it again and again; it’s quality science that people love
at the region’s science center,” said miSci President Dr. Mac Sudduth.
“Butterflies are a fun way for visitors to explore science and nature up close
during the cold winter months. Appealing to everyone – from students to
scientists and strollers to seniors, Butterflies
makes miSci a must-see attraction in the Capital Region with something for
everyone.”

Visitors can escape winter’s chill and discover hundreds
of brilliantly colored native butterflies at miSci’s indoor butterfly house. miSci’s butterfly house will be populated by Monarchs, Black Swallowtails, Buckeyes,
Painted Ladies, Tiger Swallowtails and Spicebush Swallowtails, which visitors
can see emerging from pupae in the chrysalis
chamber throughout the run of the exhibit. The backdrop of the exhibit is a
re-creation of the butterflies’ natural, outdoor habitat with plants and flowers
the butterflies need for food – all tended by masterful volunteer gardeners.

Butterflies opens at miSci opens February 14 and runs
through April 19 and is sponsored in part by The Kelly Adirondack Center at
Union College, Solar City, and Freihofers. miSci is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Monday through Saturday and 12:00 to 5:00 pm Sunday. miSci is closed Easter
Sunday, April 5.

miSci
is located at 15 Nott Terrace Heights in Schenectady. Admission is: Children
(3-12) $6.50; Seniors (65+) $8; Adults $9.50. Add $5 for a planetarium show.
General admission includes admission to all exhibits including Butterflies, demos and Science Zone
activities.

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center
in Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and
serves school children from northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and
southern Vermont. In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership program with the
San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for
Exhibit-Based Teaching) program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on,
exploratory-rich exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the
Exploratorium resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such
as education, inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest
documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci
offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

________________

About the Butterflies

Monarchs

The upper side of the male is bright orange with wide
black borders and black veins; the hind wing has a patch of scent scales. The upper
side of the female is orange-brown with wide black borders and blurred black
veins. Both sexes have white spots on borders and apex. Their wingspan is three
and three-eighth inches to four and seven-eighth inches.

Black Swallowtails

The upper surface of the wings is mostly black; there is
a black spot centered in larger orange spot on the inner edge of hind. The male
has a yellow band near the edge of the wings. The female has a row of yellow
spots; the female hind wing has an iridescent blue band. Their wingspan is
three and one-quarter inches to four and one-quarter inches.

Painted Ladies

The upper side is orange-brown with darker wing bases.
The forewing has a black apex patch and a white bar on leading edge; the hind wing
has a sub-marginal row of five small black spots sometimes has blue scales. The
underside has a black, brown, and gray pattern with four small sub-marginal
eyespots. Their wingspan is two inches to two and seven-eighths inches.

Tiger Swallowtails

The male is yellow
with black stripes (which resemble stripes on a tiger) each front wing. Females
can be either yellow with black stripes and blue spots or almost entirely black.
Their wingspan measures approximately three to five inches.

Spicebush Swallowtails

The upper surface of
the wings is dark brown or black. There are blue-green or blue patches on the
hind-wings and off white spots on the edges. Their wingspan is three to four
inches.

________________

Opening Day Activities – Saturday, February 14

9:00 am – 5 pm: All
Exhibits Open
Explore our newest exhibit Butterflies
as well as Making Sense of Sound, hands-on
fun from San Francisco’s Exploratorium; the Play Space stocked with an indoor water table and kids’ supermarket
area; Fueling the Future, and more!

10:00 a.m. Wonderful Sky Planetarium Show

Explore
the sights and sounds of the day and night sky. This introductory program
guides young audiences through the seasonal sky and helps them experience the
wonders of the cosmos. Best for ages 3-7.

11:00 a.m. We Choose Space Planetarium Show

Discover
the completed International Space Station (ISS) and the past and future moon
with Astronauts Scott Parazinsky, Tom Jones and Gene Cernan, and veteran space
reporter Walter Cronkite. This show is filled with real adventures for everyone
who dreams of space and wonder about human spaceflight

12:00 pm: Earth’s Wild Ride Planetarium Show

Explore the
Earth as you’ve never done before -- as observed by a fictional family
relocated on the Moon! Discover crashing asteroids, erupting volcanoes, roaring
dinosaurs, electrifying lightning and booming thunder. See eclipses, the ice
age, Earth's water cycle and the differences between the Earth and Moon on a
roller-coaster-like ride through canyons of raging rivers and hot flowing lava.
Produced in collaboration with Rice University, through NASA's Immersive Earth
Project.

12:30 pm: Science Discovery Demo: Optical Illusions
See images that play tricks on your eyes and then discover the science behind
what is happening with your brain and your eyes at this educator-led science
demo.

1:00 pm: Wonderful Sky Planetarium Show

1 – 2:30 pm:
Anatomy Activity: A Valentine’s Heart

Create
a fake heart and touchable fake blood to go in it at this educator-led
activity.

2:00 pm: We Choose Space Planetarium Show

3:00
pm: Night of the Hunter Planetarium ShowExplore Orion, a constellation currently visible
in the winter night sky, and discover why it was named after a Greek hunter in
this fun and informative live exploration of the
stars, constellations and planets visible in the winter night sky.

miSci Announces February School Break
ActivitiesButterflies, NEW Shows in the Renovated
Planetarium, Dudley Night Sky Adventure, Little Wonders of Science & More

miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science, will offer
visitors a chance to explore science during the upcoming School Break:
Saturday, February 14 through Sunday, February 22 with Butterflies, an indoor butterfly house and new shows in the renovated
planetarium. Visitors will also enjoy Making
Sense of Sound, hands-on fun from San Francisco’s Exploratorium; MRI:
Examining the Human Body; Fueling the Future; and more. miSci is open 9:00 am
to 5:00 pm Monday to Saturday and 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sunday.

Visitors can escape winter’s chill and discover hundreds
of brilliantly colored native butterflies at Butterflies, miSci’s new indoor butterfly house. See Monarchs, Black Swallowtails, Painted Ladies,
Tiger Swallowtails and Spicebush Swallowtails flying about (and possibly
landing on you!) as miSci re-creates their habitat– the edge of an open field
with flowers and trees. Be sure to stop at the chrysalis chamber to see the butterflies as they emerge. Learn
about the exciting life cycles of the butterflies, and learn about how to
create butterfly-friendly environments outside your own home.

Visitors
will also enjoy Making Sense of Sound,
an interactive exhibit of hands-on fun from San Francisco’s Exploratorium. Play
and experiment, make some noise, and listen. Explore hearing, human speech and
communication. With more than 30 interactive exhibits, experience – as never
before – the nature of sound, the
ways we perceive it, and how we listen. Making Sense of Sound at miSci is presented through the generosity
of Neil and Jane Golub and National Grid.

In addition to Butterflies
and Making Sense of Sound, miSci is
offering Planetarium Shows each day during break week:

·10:00
a.m. Wonderful SkyExplore the sights and sounds of
the day and night sky. This introductory program guides young audiences through
the seasonal sky and helps them experience the wonders of the cosmos. Best for
ages 3-7.·11:00
a.m. We Choose SpaceDiscover the completed International
Space Station (ISS) and the past and future moon with Astronauts Scott
Parazinsky, Tom Jones and Gene Cernan, and veteran space reporter Walter
Cronkite. This show is filled with real adventures for everyone who dreams of
space and wonder about human spaceflight·12:00
pm: Earth’s Wild RideExplore the Earth as you’ve never done before
-- as observed by a fictional family relocated on the Moon! Discover crashing
asteroids, erupting volcanoes, roaring dinosaurs, electrifying lightning and
booming thunder. See eclipses, the ice age, Earth's water cycle and the
differences between the Earth and Moon on a roller-coaster-like ride through
canyons of raging rivers and hot flowing lava. Produced in collaboration with
Rice University, through NASA's Immersive Earth Project.·1:00
pm: Wonderful Sky·2:00
pm: We Choose Space·3:00
pm: Night of the Hunter Explore Orion, a constellation currently visible
in the winter night sky, and discover why it was named after a Greek hunter in
this fun and informative live exploration of the
stars, constellations and planets visible in the winter night sky.·4:00
pm: Earth’s Wild Ride

Please note there is no 11:00 a.m. of 12:00p.m. planetarium show on
Sundays. Shows at the Suits-Bueche Planetarium are powered by the GOTO
Chronos Star Projector, a state-of-the-art star machine that lets visitors see
8,500 stars on the Planetarium dome, close to the actual number of visible
stars in the night sky. And, all Shows at the miSci’s Suits-Bueche Planetarium
include a look at the current night sky and the latest astronomy news.

There will also be a Dudley
Night Sky Adventure from 6 pm to 7:30pm Tuesday, February 17. Visitors will explore the dwarf planet
Ceres, Jupiter in opposition, and the conjunction of Venus and Mars, all
astronomical happenings in February! The Dudley Observatory, miSci and the
Albany Area Amateur Astronomers are teaming up to offer monthly Night Sky
Adventures at miSci to give all who are interested, an opportunity to practice
their observational astronomy skills. Lead by miSci Astronomy Educator,
Megan Norris and volunteers from the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers, we’ll
practice identifying stars, constellations and dark sky objects both through
scopes (weather permitting) and in the Suits-Bueche Planetarium. Rain or shine. Admission
to the Dudley Night Sky Adventure is $3 per person; $5 per
family.

Preschoolers and the adults in their lives will enjoy
miSci’s monthly Little Wonders of
Science: Why I Sneeze, Shiver, Hiccup, and Yawn Thursday, Friday and
Saturday, February 19, 20 and 21 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Children ages 3 to
5 years old will explore science with an educator reading of Melvin Berger’s Why I Sneeze, Shiver, Hiccup, and Yawn,
hands-on activities, and fun. Call 382-7890 x 237 to register. Admission to
Little Wonders of Science is free with museum admission.

There will also be Science
Discovery Demos 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. and hands-on challenges and activities
in the Science Zone 1:00 to 2:30
p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Admission to Butterflies
and Making Sense of Sound, demos and
science activities are free with museum admission; add $5 for a Planetarium
Show. miSci is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Saturday and 12:00 pm to 5:00
pm Sunday and is located at 15 Nott Terrace Heights in Schenectady.For more information, please call
518.382.7890 or visit www.miSci.org.

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center
in Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and
serves school children from northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and
southern Vermont. In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership program with the
San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for
Exhibit-Based Teaching) program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on,
exploratory-rich exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the
Exploratorium resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such
as education, inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest
documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci
offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

miSci,
the Museum of Innovation and Science, announces the addition of one new member
to its Board of Trustees: Ray Legere,
co-owner of Legere Restorations and commercial real estate development and
management group principle partner.

Founded in 1934, miSci, the Museum of Innovation
and Science, is a science center in upstate New York’s Capital Region serving visitors
of all ages including school children from northeastern New York, western
Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. miSci’s mission is to inspire people to celebrate and explore science and technology:
past, present and future. miSci offers changing interactive exhibits
including traveling exhibits from San Francisco’s Exploratorium, an indoor
butterfly house and a holiday model trains show. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast, is an official NASA Space Place and offers live full-dome, immersive
shows daily. The Dudley Observatory
is located at miSci, allowing both organizations to partner to present
astronomy programs on site and as outreaches. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest
documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci
offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science, is offering hands-on Science Workshops for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade during February school break, Monday, February 16 through Friday, February 20, 2015. A morning (9:00 am – 12:00 pm) and an afternoon workshop (12:30 to 3:30 pm) are offered each day. Kids can choose morning or afternoon -- or both and stay all day. Before and after care are also available each day.

Each workshop focuses on a different topic, including chemistry, engineering, forensics, and more. The Science of Heroes lets kids explore science from some of their favorite heroes, like those in the recent movie Big Hero 6. In Wizard Science, kids will discover the science used by wizards like Harry Potter and in Superheroes, kids will explore the science behind the super powers of some of their favorite superheroes.

“miSci is a year-round leader in science education for visitors of all ages throughout the region, and our February Break Kids’ Science Workshops are an exciting addition to our existing school year programs,” said miSci’s Executive Director Mac Sudduth.

The cost of each workshop is $20. There is a 10 percent discount for miSci members and for a second child registered from the same family. Before and after care is available at $10 per hour. Registration and prepayment are required. To register or for more information, please call 518.382.7890 x 237 or visit www.miSci.org. Class Schedule for Grades K – 2:

miSci is located at 15 Nott Terrace Heights in downtown Schenectady. For more information, please visit www.miSci.org or call 518-382-7890.

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and serves school children from northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership program with the San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based Teaching) program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the Exploratorium resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such as education, inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges; Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

We Choose Space! Planetarium Show Opens @
miSciNEW High Definition, Full Dome, Immersive
Show

We Choose
Space!, a
new planetarium show about human spaceflight and exploration, opens today at
miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science. Powered by the recently installed high
definition, full-dome, computerized projector in the Suits-Bueche Planetarium, this
show will take visitors on a space exploration adventure and immersive
experience.

A show for all ages who dream of space and wonder about
human spaceflight, We Choose Space!
is filled with real adventures. Astronauts Scott Parazinsky, Tom Jones and Gene
Cernan, and veteran space reporter Walter Cronkite are your tour guides on this
adventure to the completed International Space Station (ISS) and to the past
and future moon. The show’s original score is by Shai Fishman with music
arranged and performed by Shai Fishman.

We
Choose Space! was created by the Houston Museum
of Natural Science, Home Run Pictures, and Tietronix with scientific oversight
by Rice University; funded by NASA under grant NNX10AK12G to the Louisiana Art
and Science Museum; andreviewed by NASA
scientists and engineers.

The Suits-Bueche Planetarium at miSci is powered by the new
projector and the GOTO Chronos Star Machine, a state-of-the-art teaching tool,
which allows visitors to see 8,500
stars, close to the actual number of visible stars in the night sky. The GOTO
Chronos can show the sky from any location on Earth and any place in the solar
system; simulate the roll, pitch and yaw that astronauts experience on a space
flight; and show the sky, for any point, 99,999 years in the past or the
future.

An official NASA Space Place since 2005, the Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci welcomes thousands and thousands of visitors annually. In
addition to offering a full schedule of public planetarium shows, miSci also
offers planetarium specially designed shows for every grade level from
pre-kindergarten through college for visiting school, scout and community
groups. The Suits-Bueche Planetarium is a popular spot during miSci’s quarterly
after hours special evening events and is also available for private rentals,
during which it has been used as the setting or wedding proposals and
anniversary celebrations.

miSci is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Saturday and
12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sunday and is located at 15 Nott Terrace Heights in
Schenectady. We Choose Space! will run at 2:00 pm daily and at 11:00 am Saturdays and school holidays. Admission to miSci is $6.50 for children (3 – 12), $8 for seniors
(65+), and $9.50 for adults; add $5 for a Planetarium Show.For more information, please call
518.382.7890 or visit www.miSci.org.

Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center
in Tech Valley offering a multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and
serves school children from northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and
southern Vermont. In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership program with the
San Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for
Exhibit-Based Teaching) program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on,
exploratory-rich exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the
Exploratorium resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such
as education, inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest
documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci
offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

Julia Muffler,
a science education professional with more than 20 years of experience in Challenger
Learning Center programming and leadership, NASA curriculum development and
delivery, and informal STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), has
been appointed Flight Director of the Challenger Learning Center of the Capital
Region at miSci , the Museum of Innovation and Science.

Additionally,
she has served as Deputy Director of the NASA Aerospace Education Services
Project (AESP) at Penn State University where she managed a corps of NASA
education specialists assigned to NASA Centers nationwide. She recently served
as Curriculum Development Specialist at Penn State University, where she
provided advanced curriculum support and professional development for NASA’s
Summer of Innovation project.

Muffler is
working with the Challenger Center for Space Science Education and the
Challenger Learning Center in Louisville, Kentucky to explore the new set of
missions that will be offered at the Challenger Learning Center of the Capital
Region at miSci. Muffler has a Master’s of Science, Education from Indiana
University Southeast and a Bachelor’s of Arts, Education from Christopher
Newport University.

Based
on the space shuttle and NASA space exploration program, the Challenger
Learning Center (CLC) enables students to experience a space-themed science,
technology, engineering and math (STEM) program for the first time in this
region. The program includes classroom study that helps students apply and
enhance decision-making skills, solve problems, and communicate and a simulated
space flight mission at the Challenger Learning Center. Using NASA-type
equipment, the students will work as a team, to utilize navigation, life
support, science, computer technology and math skills to solve problems.
One team of students will operate the “mission control room,” while another will
operate the “space craft”. During the mission they will be called upon to
utilize the science, math and other skills that will be taught in the
classroom.

Construction
on the Challenger Learning Center of the Capital Region began in November and
is scheduled to conclude in March 2015. When complete, the CLC will join
miSci’s Suits-Bueche Planetarium and the Dudley Observatory, which moved to
miSci in 2013 -- three outstanding aerospace teaching tools at the region’s
science center.

Major funders for the Challenger Learning Center of the Capital
Region at miSci include the following generous donors: Neil and Jane Golub; The
Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region; Betty and David Apkarian
and Friends; The Schenectady Foundation; George Hearst and the Times Union; Fenimore
Asset Management; Wright Family Foundation; Bank of America; Citizens Bank; GE;
Morgan Stanley.

Founded in
1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley offering a
multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and serves school children from
northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. In 2012,
miSci entered into a partnership program with the San Francisco-based
Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based Teaching)
program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich
exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the Exploratorium
resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such as education,
inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest
documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci
offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

Visitors with
a WiFi capable device can now access the internet for free while they are
visiting miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science, thanks to the recent
installation of new WiFi Hotspots by Time Warner Cable.

“We are
very grateful to Time Warner Cable for providing the WiFi Hotspots at miSci,”
said miSci Executive Director Dr. Mac Sudduth. “Visitors can use the WiFi
Hotspots in many ways to make their miSci experience more enjoyable -- from
exploring an idea introduced in one of miSci’s exhibits, to getting directions
to their next destination, to finding a great spot for lunch.”

Visitors
can now access the internet while on the exhibit floor, downstairs in classroom
and meeting space, and upstairs in miSci’s auditorium, which is used for
lectures, meetings, and parties. The WiFi Hotspots will enhance visitor
experience with immediate access to the abundance of information on the
internet, allowing visitors to discover more about concepts presented in
exhibits. The WiFi Hotspots are also valuable teaching tools at miSci, allowing
classroom students and meeting participants easy access to the internet. By
entering an email address and zip code, anyone can use up to 30 minutes of free
internet per day. Time Warner Cable WiFi Hotspot access is always free to Time
Warner Cable customers at the standard internet or above subscription level
using their TWC user ID and password.

Founded
in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley offering a
multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and serves school children from
northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. In 2012,
miSci entered into a partnership program with the San Francisco-based
Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based Teaching)
program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich
exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the Exploratorium
resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such as education,
inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest
documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci
offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

The Museum of Innovation and Science, miSci, has received a Collaborative Research: EvalFest, (Evaluation
Use, Value, and Learning through Festivals of Science and Technology) project
grant, which will provide miSci with an estimated $27,550 in resources
to supplement our Science
Festival evaluation efforts. The grant includes use of
technology and software for data collection, travel reimbursement for required
meetings, and technical assistance from a principal investigator (PI) for five
years. In the grant's later years, funding will be available through
mini-grants to field test new and innovative evaluation methods.

This five-year initiative, beginning in 2015, received $1,812,654 in funding
from the National Science Foundation. The University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill serves as the project's lead institution. EvalFest is a research
project which will foster a national community of practice to develop, test,
and share methods for evaluating Science Festivals, and create a suite of
next-generation measures of interest to the informal science education and
evaluation communities.

Additionally, miSci has received the following grants:

A $5,000 award from the J.M.
McDonald Foundation for miSci’s Powering the Future: The
STEM Fund supports the participation of low income students from
throughout upstate New York in miSci's educational programs, either through
free or discounted admissions for school field trips, or reduced or waived
tuition fees for school break or summer classes.

A $2,000 grant from the Schenectady
County Youth Bureau provides field trip admissions assistance
to schools in Schenectady County.

A $1,500 award from Transfinder
to miSci’s Powering the Future: The STEM Fund provides field trip
transportation assistance to Schenectady County Schools.

A $750 award from Schenectady
Insuring Agency to miSci’s Powering the Future: The STEM Fund supports
field trip admissions assistance for schools in the Schenectady City School
District.

Founded
in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley offering a
multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and serves school children from
northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. In 2012,
miSci entered into a partnership program with the San Francisco-based
Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based Teaching)
program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich
exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the Exploratorium
resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such as education,
inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic
materials; and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and
technology. miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest
documented Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci
offers Science Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges;
Saturday Science Zone activities are sponsored by National Grid.

NEW WeatherBug Station from National Grid at miSciVisitors explore real-time
weather with lobby console and website link

A new
WeatherBug station installed by National Grid at miSci, the Museum of
Innovation and Science, allows visitors to explore real-time weather with a
lobby console and a website link.

The
WeatherBug console installed in the main lobby at miSci lets visitors scroll
through multiple screens of real-time weather information for the area. A link
to the same real-time information is on the home page of the miSci website,
which allows visitors access to this information at any time from any
location.

“We are
very grateful to National Grid for sponsoring the WeatherBug station at miSci,”
said miSci Executive Director Dr. Mac Sudduth. “The WeatherBug is a valuable
resource for visitors at the science center and on our website to explore
real-time weather and the science concepts associated with it.”

Sophisticated
sensors were installed on the roof of miSci’s building on Nott Terrace in
Schenectady. With the new WeatherBug station, miSci joins a network of other
stations at thousands of schools, major sports stadiums, broadcast stations and
public safety facilities across the United States and beyond.

Founded
in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley offering a
multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and serves school children from
northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern Vermont. In 2012,
miSci entered into a partnership program with the San Francisco-based
Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based Teaching)
program, miSci receives a different group of hands-on, exploratory-rich
exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the Exploratorium
resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such as education, inquiry,
science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche Planetarium
at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the northeast and is an
official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include an extensive GE
Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and negatives; an
archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic materials; and
more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and technology.
miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest documented
Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci offers Science
Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges; Saturday Science Zone
activities are sponsored by National Grid.

Sundays
from November 16, 2014 to January 4, 2015 are GE Kids In Free Days at miSci, the Museum of Innovation and Science
when children 12 and under will receive free admission to the museum, floor
programs, and planetarium shows when accompanied by a paying adult.

“We
are very excited to be participating in the GE Kids In Free program again this
year,” said miSci Executive Director Mac Sudduth. “We are deeply appreciative
to GE for choosing miSci as part of this important program.”

Visitors
to miSci on GE Kids in Free Sundays in November, December and January will be
able to explore all of the highly interactive exhibits on display, including: the
Trains & Toys Holiday Show featuring
a 19- x 27-foot intricate layout with continuously running model trains and
science toys you don’t have at home; Making
Sense of Sound, hands-on fun from San Francisco’s Exploratorium; MRI: Examining the Human Body,
exploration of a landmark medical imaging technology developed in the Capital
Region; and more.

miSci
will also be offering floor programs during GE Kids In Free Days. interactive Science Discovery Demos 12:30p.m. to 1:00p.m.
and hands-on challenges in the Science
Zone from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30p.m., where children can explore science with
miSci educators.

Finally,
children 12 and under accompanied by a paying adult will be admitted free to
planetarium shows on GE Kids In Free Days. Planetarium shows include: Seasonal Sky Tour (especially
recommended for children ages three to seven), Earth’s Wild Ride, ‘Tis the Season, and Night of Pegasus. Shows at
the Suits-Bueche Planetarium are powered by the GOTO Chronos Star Projector,
a state-of-the-art star machine that lets visitors see 8,500 stars on
the Planetarium dome, close to the actual number of visible stars in the night
sky. And, all Shows at the miSci’s Suits-Bueche Planetarium include a look at
the current night sky and the latest astronomy news.

Through its popular
GE Kids In Free Days program in the Capital Region, GE provides free admission
to a variety of educational, cultural and sporting events for children age 12
and under when accompanied by a paying adult. Complete event and ticketing
information can be found at www.gekidsinfreedays.com and www.facebook.com/gekidsinfreedays.

GE is one of the
largest private-sector employers in the greater Capital Region, with more than
7,000 employees. GE Kids In Free Days are part of the company’s community
sponsorship program in communities where its employees live and where the
company does business.

"Innovation
and technologyhave been at the heart of
GE since its inception," said Christine Horne, communications and public
affairs director for GE Power & Water in Schenectady. "We are thrilled
to once again partner with miSci on GE Kids in Free Days and to help inspire
future generations of GE scientists and engineers."

miSci
is located at 15 Nott Terrace Heights in Schenectady. For more information,
please call 518-382-7890 or visit www.miSci.org.

About miSci
Founded in 1934, miSci is the only science center in Tech Valley
offering a multimedia experience for visitors of all ages and serves school
children from northeastern New York, western Massachusetts, and southern
Vermont. In 2012, miSci entered into a partnership program with the San
Francisco-based Exploratorium’s ExNET (Exploratorium Network for Exhibit-Based
Teaching) program through which miSci receives a different group of hands-on,
exploratory-rich exhibits each year for five years, as well as access to the
Exploratorium resources to advance each partner’s work in specific areas such
as education, inquiry, science engagement, and exhibit development. The Suits-Bueche
Planetarium at miSci houses the only GOTO Star Projector in the
northeast and is an official NASA Space Place. miSci’s Archives include
an extensive GE Photograph collection, with more than 1.6 million prints and
negatives; an archival collection with more than 3,500 cubic feet of historic materials;
and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and technology.
miSci’s Archives houses an 1878 Edison tinfoil, the second oldest documented
Edison tinfoil recording, the oldest playable American voice. miSci offers Science
Zone, with weekly hands-on activities and challenges; Saturday Science Zone
activities are sponsored by National Grid.

Broadcast from Time Warner Cable’s mobile weather station
… test your innovation at Quirky’s School of Invention … discover the magic of
science with San Francisco’s Exploratorium … explore birds and nature with the
Albany Pine Bush Nature Preserve … and much more! The Museum of Innovation and
Science, miSci, is hosting the Science Festival of the Capital Region Friday,
November 7 through Sunday, November 9, 2014 with a special kick-off event
Thursday evening, November 6. The Science Festival features three days of
wall-to-wall science with demos, activities, planetarium shows, and special
stage shows in the Festival Tent with more than 45 presenters from throughout
the Capital Region and beyond.

There are special
planetarium shows offered every half hour each day, including Una
Explacion de las Estrellas, a planetarium show offered in Spanish by MiSci and
San Francisco’s Exploratorium at 2:30 and 4:00 p.m. Sunday. Stage Shows in the Festival Tent
include: It’s Not Magic … It’s Science!bySan Francisco Exploratorium on Friday; Wildlife Education by
Bernie on Saturday; and Bubble Trouble by Jeff Boyer on
Sunday. Visit www.miSci.org for daily
schedules.

Kick off the
Science Festival of the Capital Region with an exploration of the history of
sound recording (6-8pm): 1878 Edison Tinfoil Recording with miSci Archivist
Chris Hunter; Pallophotophone Demonstrations with Mechanical Engineer Russ
DeMuth; and Edison Wax Cylinder Acoustic Recording